French Minister Retailleau Distances Himself from Macron Ahead of 2027 Election

 

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has publicly distanced himself from President Emmanuel Macron, signaling a clear political break as the 2027 presidential succession race intensifies. In a recent interview with Valeurs Actuelles, Retailleau, a prominent conservative and rising political figure, criticized Macron's leadership, stating that "Macronism will end with Emmanuel Macron" and claiming it lacks substance beyond the president himself. Although he hasn't officially declared his candidacy, Retailleau's remarks suggest strong interest in running for president. His growing popularity currently at 36% approval, significantly higher than Macron’s 24%, according to a July Ipsos poll further boosts his credibility as a potential successor. As head of the government's initiatives on drug crime and immigration, he’s gained attention as a tough and results-driven politician. Retailleau recently won the leadership of the right-wing Republicans party, positioning him as a key conservative figure. His comments mark a significant political move to separate from Macron's centrist platform and appeal to traditional right-wing voters. This break also reflects growing tension within France's fragile coalition government of centrists and conservatives, which is expected to face more internal conflict as 2027 approaches.

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Retailleau's critique sparked backlash from Macron’s allies, especially as the president's movement, built in 2017 as a centrist alternative, faces declining popularity. Macron’s former prime minister and current education minister, Elisabeth Borne, defended the president on X (formerly Twitter), insisting that “Macronism is an ideology and a political party,” and called for mutual respect in governance. Macron’s presidency, built on a platform that rejected the traditional left-right divide, has increasingly struggled to maintain centrist appeal. Critics from both ends of the political spectrum accuse him of favoring the wealthy while being too lenient on law and immigration. This has contributed to the rise of extremist voices, with Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally now the largest parliamentary party in France. Polls show Le Pen and her ally Jordan Bardella as front-runners for 2027. Retailleau's assertion that a clear left-right political divide will return after Macron’s presidency reflects the broader shift in French politics. A source close to Retailleau downplayed any talk of resignation, framing his comments as expected discourse in a coalition setup. Retailleau is scheduled to meet with Macron in a previously planned meeting, but tensions within the government are now more visible than ever. As the succession race heats up, Retailleau's bold stance may force other contenders to define their positions more clearly either aligning with or breaking away from Macron’s legacy.

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