ERIC CIOTTI

The 57-year-old deputy from Alpes-Maritimes, finalist in the LR primary for the presidential election, was the first to launch on July 26.

Under the slogan "The right to the heart", the boss of the Alpes-Maritimes federation represents a security and identity line, with the themes of order, authority and freedom as its compass.

Praising his loyalty to the RPR then to LR, he promises "shock therapy" for a right that "assumes itself" and "does not give in to political correctness".

"We need less insecurity, less immigration and less taxes," he repeats.

He thus pleads for a "fiscal shock" going towards a single income tax rate ("flat tax") and "savings on the social state".

Eric Ciotti on September 17, 2022 in La Ciotat © Clement MAHOUDEAU / AFP/Archives

His muscular language appeals to the right of the South-East but worries among the elected LRs, who fear that his arrival will scare away the moderates.

He can claim the support of the very popular Laurent Wauquiez, whom he intends to nominate presidential candidate for 2027, and says he is "serene" in the face of the investigation by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office opened into the jobs of his ex-wife.

BRUNO RETAILLEAU

Patron of LR senators, the 62-year-old Vendéen represents the conservative and liberal wing of LR in this election.

With his experience of compromise in the Senate where he chairs the LR group, he embarked on the idea of ​​bringing together, and he garnered support, from Gérard Larcher to François Fillon via François-Xavier Bellamy who is part of of his close guard.

The senator from Vendée, from the Movement for France of Philippe de Villiers, also pleads for "more security, less taxes and immigration".

The retirement age should be postponed to 64, he said.

Vilifying "the fear of political correctness and well-meaning", he boasts of "popular sovereignty" and has placed great emphasis on the sovereign in his campaign, in particular immigration which "is not a chance for the France".

The president of the Les Républicains (LR) group in the Senate, Bruno Retailleau, speaks to the press at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, October 13, 2022 © Bertrand GUAY / AFP

"Tomorrow the right must embody a French hope" to "respond to the anxiety of the great downgrading", assures the senator who intends to "carry out a project of civilization".

He repeats that "the LR brand is dead" and, assuming the break with Nicolas Sarkozy, promises an "inventory" of LR to "change everything", in order to "give the party back to the militants".

AURELIEN PRADIE

The secretary general of the Republicans is a challenger.

Herald of the "social" and "popular right", committed to issues of disability and violence against women, the deputy of Lot is sometimes considered too left-wing in his own camp.

His sharp word also created enmities for him, which he tried to erase in his campaign.

At 36, he has the support of several deputies representing the "young guard" of LR (Julien Dive, Pierre-Henri Dumont ...) very committed to his side.

He is also reputed to be close to Xavier Bertrand.

The one who wants to "change everything: the name, the headquarters, our organization, our message" - and who also opposed Nicolas Sarkozy - promises to be a "mechanic" to "rebuild this great house", without personal ambition for the 2027 presidential election.

The general secretary of LR Aurélien Pradié, in Paris on February 2, 2022 © Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT / AFP/Archives

He also tried to broaden his message: on immigration, he proposes that residence permits be "probationary", while on pensions, he pleads for a reform via the number of annuities more than the decline of the starting age.

© 2022 AFP