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Bruno Retailleau Elected Leader of France’s Republicans Party

The interior minister secured over 74% of the vote, positioning himself as a key contender for the 2027 presidential race.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau speaks during an end-of-campaign rally for the presidency of the Les Republicains (LR) party in Boulogne-Billancourt near Paris, France, May 11, 2025. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo
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Members of the Republican party have been casting their ballots all weekend to elect either Bruno Retailleau (L), France's interior minister, or the party's parliamentary boss, Laurent Wauquiez (R), as their chief

Overview

  • Bruno Retailleau, France's interior minister, won the leadership of the centre-right Les Républicains (LR) party with just over 74% of the vote.
  • He defeated Laurent Wauquiez, the party's parliamentary leader, in a contest involving approximately 120,000 LR members.
  • Retailleau's leadership strengthens his potential candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, where President Macron is constitutionally barred from running.
  • The LR, once a dominant force in French politics, now holds only 60 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly, far behind the far-right National Rally's 123 seats.
  • The party aims to rebuild after internal crises, including the 2024 ousting of Eric Ciotti over his controversial stance on alliances with the National Rally.