There was little doubt that Richard Ferrand for La République en Marche, François Bayrou for the MoDem, and Edouard Philippe for Horizons, would reach an agreement in view of the elections of June 12 and 19, the challenge being to limit the scars of tough negotiations.

At a press conference on Thursday, everyone therefore heavily insisted on "the good mood" that went through the discussions - "we had a good time", even launched Mr. Ferrand - which made it possible to "avoid the rivalries of clans and people", said Mr. Bayrou.

As for the rumors of dissension and "picrocholine wars" with Mr. Philippe, reinforced after Horizon publicly deplored ten days ago the lack of exchanges among the partners, they are only the fault of the "talkative people", have swore the partners.

Edouard Philippe at a press conference after a meeting of the LREM executive board, in Paris, on May 5, 2022 STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN AFP

"I suggest that you judge not on anxieties, conjectures, anonymous statements, but on actions," pleaded the former Prime Minister.

So here is the majority in working order five weeks before the first round, united in a "confederation" called "Together!"

and chaired by Richard Ferrand.

Each of the three pillars - LREM, MoDem and Horizons - will be able to form its group in the Assembly, but will depend on a common funding association which will then distribute the subsidies.

"We are together because we are not identical. But these differences are obviously an asset to build something in common", assured Mr. Philippe, who will therefore hold the right flank of the majority.

According to concordant sources within the majority, the newcomer Horizons won 58 constituencies under this agreement, and the MoDem between 101 and 110. This leaves around 400 for LREM candidates, some constituencies "which are counted less only on the fingers of one hand" being left vacant so as not to "facilitate the life" of "extremist" applicants, according to Mr. Ferrand.

Some 200 investitures must also be unveiled Thursday afternoon, before another salvo at the end of the week.

"A few settings"

Among the candidates will be the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin in the North, the Minister of Labor Elisabeth Borne in Calvados, or that of Housing Emmanuelle Wargon in the Val de Marne.

On the other hand, the Minister of Economy Bruno Le Maire announced Thursday that he would not compete for a 4th term in Eure, and that of Justice Eric Dupond-Moretti, approached in the North, indicated that he had no intention of running for office.

(lr) Edouard Philippe (Horizons), Richard Ferrand, LREM president of the National Assembly, François Bayrou (MoDem) and Stanislas Guerini, deputy secretary of LREM, on May 5, 2022 in Paris STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN AFP

However, there are still "a few adjustments" to be made and "it is progressing slowly" in the finalization of the lists, indicates a stakeholder in the negotiations.

"It's always difficult to choose between quality profiles in the same territory. And sometimes also difficult to explain to a leaver that you have to stop", advances this same source.

Among the questions remaining in suspense is also the future of other components of the majority: the small centre-left party Territoires de progress, its centre-right counterpart Agir, the ecologist chapel In Commun!

or the Radical Movement.

The boss of La République en Marche Stanislas Guerini sketched a landing strip by announcing Thursday the "refoundation" of his party, which will take the name of "Renaissance", with the idea of ​​"continuing to expand this political movement" created by Mr. Macron in 2016.

Renaissance "will be intended to be open to citizens, elected officials, local elected officials wherever they come from" and "to current and future partners of the presidential majority", added Mr. Guerini, who hopes to move forward "rapidly" on the question.

Discussions will therefore open with these parties to try to integrate them into "Renaissance", thus pursuing the objective stated by Mr. Macron the day after the first round of the presidential election to build "a great political movement of unity and 'stock".

© 2022 AFP