French Politician Retailleau Slams Wauquiez Over Support for Rival

Bruno Retailleau, a candidate for Les Républicains (LR) in the 2027 presidential election, has sharply criticized Laurent Wauquiez, the president of the LR deputies in the National Assembly. Retailleau dismissed Wauquiez's recent public support for Édouard Philippe, a former Prime Minister and potential presidential contender, stating he was "not that surprised." This public spat underscores the deep divisions within the center-right party as it gears up for the next presidential race.

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It didn’t surprise me much.

Retailleau's criticism extended to his personal relationship with Wauquiez, whom he described as never having been a "right-hand man" or a "support" to him. The two figures have a history of rivalry, including a bitter contest for the LR party leadership in April 2025. Retailleau's comments suggest a lack of trust and a long-standing tension between them, despite Wauquiez remaining a member of LR. "The presidential election is not a walk in the park. You are entitled every morning to your dose of cod liver oil and little betrayals," Retailleau quipped, referencing the political maneuvering within the party.

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He has never been a right-hand man, nor a help for me, nor a support for that matter.

Wauquiez, for his part, defended his endorsement of Philippe, asserting that he had merely stated "obvious" truths. He claimed his comments were not intended to support any specific candidate but rather to advocate for a "rallying" of right-wing and center candidates to prevent the far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon from reaching the second round of the election. Wauquiez suggested that this principle should apply to all potential candidates, including Retailleau, David Lisnard, Xavier Bertrand, and Philippe himself.

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The presidential election is not a walk in the park. You are entitled every morning to your dose of cod liver oil and little betrayals.

However, Retailleau pointed to Wauquiez's past contradictions, noting that Wauquiez had previously been highly critical of Philippe and had accused Retailleau of being too aligned with President Macron when he served as Interior Minister. Wauquiez himself had renounced his own presidential ambitions for 2027 but continues to push for unity among the right and center factions. The ongoing public disagreements highlight the challenges LR faces in presenting a united front and a clear strategy for the upcoming presidential election.

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I only said obvious things.