Member of the European Parliament, Francois-Xavier Bellamy, has officially announced his support for Bruno Retailleau, the French Interior Minister, in the upcoming Republican Party internal elections slated for May 17. Bellamy made this announcement during his appearance on the French TV show “Les 4 Vérités” on France 2, expressing his continued support for Retailleau, as he did two years prior during the previous internal elections.
Bellamy articulated his belief in Retailleau’s ability to rebuild the party, emphasizing the need for rejuvenation within the political organization. “I support Bruno Retailleau because I believe he has the capability to reconstruct our political family, and it’s imperative that we restore the party,” Bellamy stated.
He clarified that his endorsement is not intended as a slight against another candidate, Laurent Wauquiez, underscoring that the elections should be seen as an internal discussion among friends. Bellamy acknowledged the legitimacy of both candidates, but highlighted the broader issue that the right-wing faction has lost the trust of the French public, a trust that needs to be regained.
Although Bellamy considers it premature to present Retailleau as a candidate for the party’s presidential campaign, he expressed confidence that circumstances would eventually align. “Today is 2025, and this is an internal election for party leadership,” he remarked. He also noted the upcoming electoral challenges in the coming years, which may include legislative elections, referendums, and municipal elections next year.
The announcement comes amid a backdrop of various international and domestic events, reflecting the dynamic political landscape in which these elections are taking place.
