Édouard Philippe invites French right and centre rivals to 2027 unity talks as opponents reject proposal

Philippe proposes November talks

Horizons party leader and Le Havre mayor Édouard Philippe convened the 80 members of his campaign committee on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, to launch a coordination effort for the 2027 French presidential race. Philippe announced plans to send formal letters in the coming days to leaders across the centre and right, including Gabriel Attal of Renaissance, Bruno Retailleau of Les Républicains, François Bayrou of the MoDem, and David Lisnard of Nouvelle Énergie, as well as officials from the UDI. The proposal invites party heads to an All Saints' Day summit in November to negotiate conditions for an alliance ahead of both the presidential and legislative elections. Speaking to supporters, including government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, Philippe emphasized that fractured candidacies would eliminate the centre-right.

Without unity, there will be victory for no one.

Rivals reject the summit offer

The outreach met immediate opposition from rival candidates who intend to run their own presidential campaigns. Les Républicains candidate Bruno Retailleau dismissed the initiative during an interview on CNews on Tuesday evening, refusing to participate in what he characterized as an internal gathering.

I will not go. It is a meeting for macronists between macronists.

David Lisnard of Nouvelle Énergie followed on Wednesday on BFMTV, rejecting any autumn agreement and insisting that only an open primary can legitimately decide a candidate. Gabriel Attal of Renaissance also brushed aside the proposal on France Info on Wednesday, 9 September, pointing out that party liaisons already conduct regular monthly discussions. Attal stressed that parties must conduct an active political campaign throughout 2026 before resolving questions about an eventual alliance.

Electoral pressure and primary divisions

Philippe's initiative follows recent polling that shows National Rally leader Marine Le Pen and La France Insoumise leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon positioned to advance to the runoff if the centre and right remain fractured. Horizons MP Jérémie Patrier-Leitus defended the summit call on RFI, noting that Philippe currently holds the strongest poll numbers among centre-right contenders and retains the authority to lead unity discussions. Patrier-Leitus argued that rival parties still have time to alter their positions before November.

The dispute has also renewed debate over primary elections, which were examined in April, ruled out in June, confirmed as excluded in July, and debated again on Wednesday, 9 September. While Lisnard advocates a formal contest, Horizons leaders continue to oppose the idea within the central bloc liaison committee.

A primary is neither possible nor desirable.

Although campaign lieutenants for Philippe and Attal continue to hold monthly lunches to manage relations, the candidates remain committed to competing directly as the campaign approaches.