In view of the 2027 election, the increase in right and center candidacies is facing a reality: campaign accounts.
“Let’s not ruin the friend’s campaign!” This phrase sums up a growing concern among the ranks of the central bloc. Last week, during the first meeting of the “liaison committee” – a group comprising Franck Riester (Renaissance), Christophe Béchu (Horizons), Marc Fesneau (MoDem), and Hervé Marseille (UDI), tasked with working on a joint candidacy – one of the participants raised this issue in passing. Behind the rhetoric of unity lies a more pragmatic reality: money. Since April 1st, all expenses of potential Elysée candidates – whether officially declared or not – must be recorded and registered through an official platform managed by the National Commission for Campaign Accounts and Political Financing.
In the current framework, the authorized spending limits are €16.851 million for first-round candidates and €22.509 million for the two who qualify for the second round. A significant amount, but far from comfortable – especially for those competing in the center-right space in the coming months. The list is long, including Edouard Philippe, Bruno Retailleau, Gabriel Attal, Gérald Darmanin, Élisabeth Borne, Xavier Bertrand, among others. While some may quickly withdraw their presidential ambitions – at least for now – others may push forward and declare their candidacy. This complicates the equation of who will eventually prevail.
“Many are ready to burn through the funds.” It is agreed that only one figure should represent the right and center. Otherwise, the second round could be reduced to a face-off between the National Rally and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who is already polling high. Whether through primary or not, the unity figure will have to absorb the expenses of their peers: entirely in case of support, partially in case of withdrawal. “We are preparing for this,” acknowledges members of Horizons. In previous cases, parties have supported candidates who withdrew financially, such as in 2012 when the UMP paid €800,000 to Christine Boutin after she stepped down in favor of Nicolas Sarkozy.
“These amounts are reasonable,” says a Philippe associate. “The problem is that some are ready to burn through the funds.” Attal is singled out here, planning a major meeting in Paris at the end of May. While the cost is undisclosed, it is noted that public events in the capital can add up quickly. In 2022, Emmanuel Macron spent around €2 million on an event at La Défense Arena, representing 12% of his campaign expenses. “We have a clear advantage over others: money,” suggests a member of Renaissance, highlighting Gabriel Attal’s significant war chest compared to others.
The political calendar is primarily a financial calendar. In cases of withdrawal, candidates cannot partially give up on the reimbursement of their campaign expenses without risking the stability of their party – or even condemning it. In the scenario of unity, if expenses approach the limits, it would mean more activities for the remaining candidate: more meetings, posters, and leaflets. “This is why we cannot afford to wait until January or February to agree on a common candidacy,” says a member of the central bloc, emphasizing that the political calendar is essentially a financial timeline.
