In a few weeks, François Baroin could say if he is a candidate for the presidency ... of the Association of Mayors of France. For his candidacy for the Elysee, it is definitely folded and it is no. Last fall, the mayor of Troyes had already made it known that he would not run for the presidency of the Republic, which Le Figaro had written in September, by informing, face to face, the executives of his party. . The lunches in town took the place of announcing since the person concerned had not himself declared it publicly. This allowed Christian Jacob and his fans, many in the LR camera, to spread the rumor that he could change his mind.
It is this same method that he used again at the beginning of the summer.
According to our information, François Baroin called on Wednesday several leaders of LR, in particular Bruno Retailleau and Brice Hortefeux, to formalize them again and definitively that he would not be a presidential candidate.
He also told them that he would make the information public.
In reality, an "officialization" by the entourage in L'Opinion which declares that it "will not be part of the electoral competition which opens on the right and in the presidential election".
François Baroin will end up saying it himself “at a time” which is not yet known, specifies his entourage to the Parisian.
"He had thought a lot about a candidacy"
While the right is wondering about the identity of its champion, the calendar and the method to appoint him, the pressure had become too strong for François Baroin who gave no sign of wanting to go but without saying so explicitly. During a strategic council on June 28, Bruno Retailleau, yet a fervent defender of a primary, asks him to position himself: "if you go, everyone stops". “In the fall, I told you what it was. I did not change. But if that changes, I will keep you informed ”, answers François Baroin who thinks he is clear. He collects a few skeptical pouts.
"He has to say yes or shit." Depending on what he does, another organization is set up, ”ends up getting tired of an LR framework which is favorable to him. During the last week, François Baroin therefore informed Christian Jacob during a dinner in a Parisian restaurant. What moves the position of this one before the BP on Tuesday. He didn't want to hear about a primary if there was a “natural candidate”.
Now he is considering it if the candidates cannot come to an agreement among themselves. "Since last fall, contrary to what has been written, Baroin had given a lot of thought to a candidacy", understands the secretary general of LR, Aurélien Pradié, also informed last week. "With three re-elected regional presidents on the right, the door was too narrow for him," concludes a party executive.
