Édouard Philippe rejects centre-right primary for French presidential election

French presidential candidate and former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe ruled out competing in a primary on Sunday, France 24 reported. His decision follows a proposal made last week by his rival Gabriel Attal to organize a vote to choose a single centre-right candidate. The primary was proposed to unite the right against challenges from the far right and far left. [1]

Édouard Philippe is the presidential candidate for the centre-right Horizons party, France 24 reported. According to the outlet, he is currently performing better in opinion polls than his rivals on the centre-right. [1]

The refusal comes as Édouard Philippe faces legal scrutiny. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the former prime minister was questioned by investigators in October during an inquiry into alleged embezzlement and misuse of public funds. Magistrates decided not to place him under formal investigation. [5]

Political parties in France have been shaping their presidential contest strategies. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Raphaël Glucksmann secured the nomination to represent the centre-left after winning a primary contest with 66 percent of the vote. [6]