The strategy of participation in the government of the Minister of the Interior is approved by members. This victory against Laurent Wauquiez, chief of LR deputies, installs him in a position of force to be the candidate of the right in the presidential election of 2027.
Posted on 05/18/2025 18:48
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The Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, on May 14, 2025 in Lyon, as part of the campaign for the election to the presidency of the Republicans. (Albin Bonnard / Hans Lucas / AFP)
The bet is successful for Bruno Retailleau. The members of the Republicans elected him president of the party with 74.31 % of the votes, during an internal vote, Sunday May 18. Favorite of this election, the Minister of the Interior faced Laurent Wauquiez, leader of LR deputies, after a tense campaign between the two men. If there are few ideological differences between them, it is Bruno Retailleau’s strategy that has been approved: participating in the government of François Bayrou as part of an alliance with the macronist parties, in order to weigh on political decisions at the price of compromise. Laurent Wauquiez claimed a more independent line towards Emmanuel Macron.
More popular than Laurent Wauquiez in opinion, Bruno Retailleau also confirms his popularity in a political party which is however not his family of origin. The new president of the right party began his career alongside the sovereignist Philippe de Villiers and joined the UMP (the old name of the LR) in 2012. He then became the faithful lieutenant of François Fillon. He had already presented himself to the Presidency of the LR in 2022, but had lost in front of Eric Ciotti.
After having been the owner of the LR group for ten years in the Senate, Bruno Retailleau therefore took over the leadership of a party which saw the number of his members greatly increase during this campaign. It aims to give it an important place in the political landscape. With what strategy? The new LR chief wishes to stay in the government and considers that being one of the leaders of the coalition will allow him to obtain favorable arbitrations.
A strategy contested by Laurent Wauquiez who, despite his defeat, does not intend to abandon his presidential ambitions for 2027. The fact remains that with this victory, Bruno Retailleau changes his status and settles firmly in the camp of natural presidentialrs to represent his political family. How are the two men now work together? What place will Bruno Retailleau leave to the supporters of the president of the LR group in the National Assembly in the party organization chart? These are questions that the new LR boss should answer in the coming days when he is constituting his team.
