Cannes Mayor David Lisnard has called for a broad centre-right primary election to choose a candidate ahead of the 2027 French presidential vote.
Speaking live on French news channel LCI on Saturday, August 29, the conservative politician said a primary election must be held to select contenders and eliminate those tied to President Emmanuel Macron.
Lisnard, who is a candidate for the 2027 presidential race, said the nomination process should be as broad as possible across the right and centre. He added that the vote must specifically weed out figures who previously led the right-wing political movement to defeat, as well as those connected to the governing macronist system.
The interview was broadcast live on LCI, a 24-hour French news network operated by TF1 Group. The station's political coverage has focused heavily on candidate selection for 2027, including discussions on how to choose between potential centrist contenders Gabriel Attal and Edouard Philippe.
Calls for right wing unity
Lisnard has served as mayor of Cannes, a coastal city on the French Riviera, since 2014. A leading figure in Les Républicains, the primary centre-right political party in France, he also heads the Association of French Mayors, making him a prominent voice among local officials nationwide.
Les Républicains has sought to reorganize following difficult national electoral cycles. The party previously organized open primary elections in 2016 and member votes in 2021 to select presidential nominees, though political strategy remains contested ahead of the next national election.
The 2027 presidential contest
France will hold its next presidential election in 2027. Incumbent President Emmanuel Macron is constitutionally barred from running for a third consecutive term after completing two five-year mandates, creating an open contest across the political spectrum.
During the LCI broadcast, commentators and political analysts examined the growing list of potential candidates on the right and centre. The discussion also coincided with broader national debate on LCI, where French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu addressed foreign policy by stating that France remains an ally of the United States while maintaining a non-aligned stance.
Lisnard continues to advocate for an open primary to establish a clear conservative platform. Right-wing and centre-right party leaderships are expected to continue debate over candidate selection rules as preparations for the 2027 campaign proceed.
