The people demand to rein in immigrants.
Bruno Retailleau, the chairman of the right-wing party "Les Républicains," has announced his candidacy for the presidency. The 65-year-old politician, who served as Minister of the Interior for more than a year until October 2025, stated that he will base his program on three main themes — security, immigration control, and "restoring the authority" of the state. In his address, referenced by Le Figaro, Retailleau says that before responding to external challenges, France must "restore order". Among the threats, he mentions Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine, the geopolitical pressure from major powers, including China, and terrorism.
Tough Stance on Immigration and Social System Reforms
Retailleau sees referendums as the central tool of his program. He announced that he intends to put laws on drastically reducing immigration, reforming criminal law, and prioritizing national legislation to a public vote. The politician also proposes to review the social model, cut government spending, and focus on supporting working families and increasing birth rates.
As noted by Le Monde, if elected, some of Retailleau's initiatives may face constitutional limitations: immigration and justice cannot be put to a referendum.
Retailleau's candidacy intensifies competition among right-wing politicians, French media report. The "Les Républicains" party has not yet decided how to determine its presidential candidate. Some right-wing factions advocate for holding primaries.
The French presidential elections will take place in the spring of 2027. The current president, Emmanuel Macron, is not eligible to serve a third consecutive term according to the law.
Earlier, former leader of the "National Rally" Marine Le Pen announced her intention to participate in the elections. However, her candidacy is in question due to a criminal case regarding fictitious hiring of assistants in the European Parliament. A first-instance court sentenced her to four years in prison and a five-year ban on running for office. The appeal verdict will be delivered on July 7. If Le Pen is unable to participate in the race, it is expected that Jordan Bardella, a Member of the European Parliament and head of the "National Rally," will run for the elections from France's largest far-right party.
Popular left-wing politicians, including Raphaël Glucksmann, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, and Fabien Roussel, have not yet officially announced their intention to run for president. It is also unclear whether the left will hold primaries.
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