LR Presidency: Laurent Wauquiez acknowledges defeat and calls on the right not to "dilute itself in Macronism"

Laurent Wauquiez admitted defeat to Bruno Retailleau for the presidency of the Republicans on Sunday and called on the right to pursue a "project of rupture," which is possible "if we are not diluted by Macronism."

"We must ensure that we are united to win, because if we are divided, we are sure to lose. My conviction remains the same: we must unite the entire right and we must carry forward a project of rupture. And we will not be able to do this if we are diluted in Macronism," he declared from his stronghold of Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire).

"The French expect us to lead a project for change that will allow us to turn the page on 'At the same time', a real project of alternation," added the Haute-Loire MP in front of a group of activists gathered in a co-working space.

"To achieve this, we must break through the barriers of impotence that currently condemn French politics to a lack of results," he argued.

"The right can only succeed by adopting strong ideas that will allow us to turn the tables, even if it means displeasing the cohort of those who want nothing to change in order to finally curb the explosion of immigration and communitarianism. To restore security to our compatriots who have rights, and quite simply to tackle the explosion of public spending," he said.

Clearly beaten by Bruno Retailleau (74.3% against 25.7%), the leader of the LR deputies said he had called him to "congratulate him on his victory" and send him his "wishes for success," praising a "worthy" campaign carried out "with respect" and "commitment." He thanked the LR members and "whatever the results of this election, I loved meeting them everywhere, all over France."