Presidency of Les Républicains party: more unified right than ever on ideas

While clear line differences may have existed in the past, Eric Ciotti, Aurélien Pradié and Bruno Retailleau are now in tune on most subjects, with only a few nuances.

By Matthieu Goar

The narrowing has the merit of clarifying things. No more war of the right between Europeanists and eurosceptics; completed the clashes between the Seguinists and the Liberals; Forgotten debates on identity issues between integration followers and supporters of assimilation. This opposition had reached a sort of peak during the 2016 open primary for the presidential election between an Alain Juppé, herald of happy identity and “reasonable accommodations” with Islam, and a Nicolas Sarkozy Raidi on Farm positions since his speech by Grenoble in 2010. Since the start of the juppeists to the macronist shores, the firmer line, that of Nicolas Sarkozy and François Fillon, won in the ranks of the Les Républicains Party (LR) .

A particularly visible unit on sovereign subjects among candidates for the head of the party, during the first round of the internal election, on December 3 and 4. Drastic reduction in immigration, firmness on expulsions, assumed link between immigration and delinquency … “I say very clearly: no right for illegal immigrants, housing, no allowances, no school”, launched Eric Ciotti during the debate on LCI , November 21. In his program, the deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes proposes to build 30,000 places in prison, to restore the penalties and the double punishment which he sums up with a formula: “the prison or the plane.”

Attentive not to be overwhelmed on these questions, Bruno Retailleau is just as hard, wishing a rewriting of the Constitution and an effectiveness of the obligations to leave French territory (OQTF). “We must assume an showdown with the countries of origin,” he recommended, on November 20 on Europe 1. Aurélien Pradié, who had been accused by his competitors of being too lax on these subjects, A Adopted the same posture. “All residence permits in our country must be probationary,” said the Lot deputy during the debate. 2>

pensions, taxation, abortion …

More differences, but notable nuances between candidates on other themes. For example on pension reform. If everyone deems it necessary, Bruno Retailleau is for a decline in the starting age. Aurélien Pradié, in a more social line, militates on the contrary for an extension of the number of contribution annuities so as not to disadvantage those who started working early, quoting several times during the campaign his brother Boulanger. Eric Ciotti chose an intermediate route, wanting to leave the choice between a departure at 65 years or the extension of the contribution duration of forty-three to forty-five years. “I leave freedom to the future retiree to choose the most favorable system to him,” he explained, on October 29, in an interview with the Parisian.

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/Media reports cited above.