On June 20, 2026, Édouard Philippe stated in La Tribune Dimanche that the issue was not breaking with Macronism but acting. The same day, Bruno Retailleau held his first campaign meeting at the Parc Floral de Paris.
Édouard Philippe, head of Horizons, stated that the question for the next occupant of the Élysée would not be “to break or not to break” with Macronism but “to act”. He assumed continuity in defense and European construction, citing measures taken between 2017 and 2020 on the deficit, employment and apprenticeships.
Bruno Retailleau, Les Républicains candidate, organized his first meeting at the Parc Floral de Paris before several thousand people. He said “I swear to you that I will win” and called 2027 the “election of the last chance”.
Writer Boualem Sansal, freed from Algeria in November, brought his support to Retailleau and announced he would “very probably” vote for him. Philippe will hold his first big meeting on July 5 at the Adidas Arena in Paris.