Édouard Philippe courts right-wing officials on Réunion island

Presidential hopeful Édouard Philippe is actively seeking to consolidate support among right-wing elected officials on the French island of Réunion. The candidate for the Horizons party spent two days on the island, engaging in what his team described as "câlinothérapie" – a charm offensive aimed at securing backing from Les Républicains (LR) and other center-right figures.

Philippe's visit, which included stops in Saint-Pierre, Saint-Louis, and Saint-Leu, was strategically focused on the department's significant voting bloc. His team recognizes the right-wing vote on Réunion, home to over 900,000 residents, is currently fragmented. Philippe's objective is to present himself as the most viable candidate to unite these diverse factions, positioning himself ahead of rivals like Bruno Retailleau and Gabriel Attal.

During his time on the island, Philippe participated in various local activities, from tasting rum to admiring scenic views and learning about sugarcane cutting. These experiences were interspersed with meetings with local mayors and departmental officials, including LR mayor Karim Juhoor and departmental president Cyrille Melchior. The candidate stressed the importance of rallying support behind him, asserting his strong position in the upcoming presidential race.

Philippe's outreach efforts aim to bridge divides within the right-wing political landscape. By engaging directly with local leaders and participating in island life, he seeks to demonstrate his commitment to diverse regions of France and build a broad coalition necessary for a successful presidential bid.