From our special correspondent in La Baule
“
Long live la Baule, long live the right, and long live the gathering!
"On the platform of the Republicans' summer school, organized in La Baule (Loire-Atlantique) this Saturday, August 28, calls for unity follow one another.
"
There is still time for reason to take precedence over individual passions
", "
we must all win together, otherwise we will each lose in our own corner
", "
the plural will have to combine into the singular by the end of the year
”, thus unrolled the LR mayor of the town, Franck Louvrier, to the applause of a few hundred supporters.
To read also Guillaume Tabard: "A primary of the right threatened with imbalance"
Used to mark the political re-entry of the right in his city, the city councilor has this year launched a solemn appeal to "
reason
".
"
For the fall, make an oath here that we will start behind a single woman or a single man so that the victory is collective
", he declared, while a possible primary already has four contenders.
"It will take a single candidate"
In the ranks, some figures of the right were also conspicuous by their absence.
Starting with the ex-LR president of Hauts-de-France and candidate for 2022, Xavier Bertrand, who has been opposed from the start to any tie-breaking method.
“
Everyone has been invited.
But Xavier Bertrand, no longer LR, considered that it did not make sense to make his comeback here,
”says Franck Louvrier.
In contention for the primary, the president (Libres!) Of Île-de-France, Valérie Pécresse, was not present either.
At least physically.
"
Initially, she had not answered, and seeing all the personalities present, Valérie still wanted to speak, it shows that they want to be here
", smiles again the elected official.
Read also Valérie Pécresse: "I am a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic to restore French pride"
From Corrèze, the Francilienne therefore lent itself to the game of the duplex, ensuring that "
in the end, it will take a single candidate from the right and the center
".
"
I will accept the rules of the game which will be fixed together with Les Républicains, even if I am no longer there
," she continued.
Before saying: “
I am a candidate to win.
"
Barnier and Juvin side by side
Arrived side by side, Michel Barnier and Philippe Juvin - both vying for the primary - have in turn played the card of union.
Together, they called for “
not to be afraid
”.
"
What matters is that we are smart enough to play together,
" assured the former Brexit negotiator.
“
Michel and I have worked together for years.
I also saw Xavier Bertrand the day before yesterday ... everyone knows that it is in everyone's interest to be united
", completed Philippe Juvin in private, stressing the presence of"
women and men capable of building a great French team.
"
Read also Michel Barnier: "I want to be a president who respects the French and makes France respect"
On the platform, Michel Barnier then ended the morning. "
The good news is that we are going to win,
" said the former minister first. Before ensuring: “
The French would not forgive us for not being united.
“While unveiling his proposals, especially on immigration, the candidate stressed that he“ has
not changed
”. To the few young activists also present, the former Mr. Brexit slipped a message, seeming like a warning: "
Stay true to this political family, including in difficult times. You have to hold the bar and keep your nerves.
"