While Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the deputies of the republican right (DR), wanted to avoid “a war by devastating chiefs” for the Republicans (LR), the announcement of Bruno Retailleau is likely to disrupt his plans.
After weeks of procrastination, Bruno Retailleau finally took the plunge. The Minister of the Interior is now a candidate for the Presidency of the Republicans (LR). He announced it this Wednesday, February 12, 2025 in a letter addressed to party activists. “The future belongs to those who hold,” he wrote in particular in this missive unveiled this Tuesday, February 12 by Le Figaro Then AFP.
Since the departure of Eric Ciotti – which has become the ally of the National Rally -, this vacant place at the head of the party has left no one indifferent. The leader of the deputies of the Republican right (DR), Laurent Wauquiez, has never denied his application of candidacy. This position could indeed put it on the rails of the next presidential election and help it make its Elysian ambitions a little more.
But Bruno Retailleau does not want “new tears And new injuries “within the party. In the eyes of the Minister, it is a question of” acting quickly “in the face of the possibility of a new dissolution.” Let us stop repelling tomorrow what should have been done yesterday “.” I feel it, “he says,” the right is listened to again (…) and that’s why tomorrow it can win “.
A “chief war” declared?
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau took the “heavy responsibility to open a war of the chiefs”, reacted to AFP the entourage of Laurent Wauquiez. Especially since he had been warned – during a dinner between four eyes – the risk he will face if he presented himself. “It’s up to you to embody the right to the government, it’s up to me to rebuild our political family,” insisted the former president of the Rhône-Alpes region, before warning his opponent, according to reported remarks, notably by Politico: “If you break this agreement, you will be responsible for lighting a war of chefs who will be devastating”.
Despite the consequences, the Vendéen wants to give the movement a “new impetus” where “order”, the fight against “laxity that kills” predominate. “I decided to apply for the presidency of the Republicans. (…) Today, I want to do for my party what I do at the head of my ministry: to speak true and act quickly”, assure- he.
The minister also has many supporters in the Senate, of which he chaired the LR group from 2014 to 2024. “Wauquiez has the problem of being done … What if Retailleau wanted to take over the party? What if he was aimed at 2027? “, meditated in the fall an LR deputy, questioned by Le Figaro. For the time being, Laurent Wauquiez has not yet officially announced his candidacy for the Presidency of the Republicans … but his opponent is already ready.