French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has ruled out running in the 2027 presidential election and thrown his support behind former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, saying he did not want to deepen divisions within the centrist camp.
In an interview published Monday, Darmanin called on others in the bloc to follow his lead and rally behind Philippe, who officially launched his campaign in early July and is currently the best-placed centrist candidate in opinion polls. Darmanin expressed regret that no primary was held to unify the centre-right field. The two men will appear together at a political event in Tourcoing on 30 August.
President Emmanuel Macron is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term. National Rally leader Marine Le Pen currently leads overall voting-intention surveys, while Les Républicains chief Bruno Retailleau has also declared his candidacy.