French presidential candidate Édouard Philippe rejects centre-right primary

French presidential contender Édouard Philippe on Sunday ruled out competing in a primary to select a single right-wing candidate to face challenges from the far right and far left.

Philippe, a former prime minister under President Emmanuel Macron from 2017 to 2020, is the candidate for the centre-right Horizons party, and performing better in opinion polls than his centre-right rivals.

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Speaking to TF1 television's evening news programme Sunday, Philippe rejected a proposal that he take part in a primary to designate a single centre-right presidential candidate.

"I don't think this primary will take place," Philippe told TF1, arguing that it would only lead to "division" and "confusion".

He said the various candidates should live up to their "responsibilities" and decide on their approach by February.

That appeared to be a suggestion that those performing poorly should then withdraw to help increase the chances of stronger centre-right candidates.

Rival centre-right candidate Gabriel Attal – another former prime minister under Macron – proposed the primary last week.

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The far-right leader Marine Le Pen of the National Rally currently tops the polls, with hard-left veteran Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the France Unbowed party also performing strongly.

The first round of the presidential election is set for April 18, with the second-round run-off between the two strongest candidates on May 2.