Lisnard Reopens Call for Open Primary as Centre‑Right Lacks a Clear Leader

Overview

• David Lisnard renewed his proposal in a Le Monde tribune on Tuesday, urging a large open primary for the right and centre because he says “no natural candidate” has emerged to unite the bloc.
• A recent Harris Interactive–Toluna survey, cited across outlets, shows Jean‑Luc Mélenchon reaching the second round in three of five scenarios and puts Édouard Philippe at about 17%, Gabriel Attal at 14–15%, and Bruno Retailleau under 10% when each is treated as the sole centre/right contender.
• Leading centre and centre‑right figures have so far rejected holding a primary, and Gabriel Attal said the poll shows there is “no longer a favorite,” warning that momentum currently favors Marine Le Pen and Mélenchon.
• Some institutional voices, including Senate President Gérard Larcher, back the primary idea, and commentators note such a contest would give Lisnard—a former LR mayor without a major party machine—a national platform.
• The proposal recalls the 2016 centre‑right primary that drew over four million voters and raises two clear stakes to watch: whether contenders will accept a voter‑open selection and whether a united candidate can blunt the growing strength of the political extremes.