Elizabeth Borne, the former Prime Minister, has announced her candidacy to lead the presidential party, Renaissance, following the current Secretary General Stéphane Séjourné. She expressed her desire to bring her experience to the party with humility and collegiality, aiming to unite a broad spectrum of people to preserve the unity of the party. The party is set to hold a congress by November 30th to elect the 150 members of the national council who will then elect the next Secretary General.
The party, weakened by internal divisions and a loss of momentum since the dissolution of the National Assembly, faces a crucial moment as it looks towards the future. The future of Renaissance, a weak link in the presidential system since 2017, is crucial for the Macronist camp as Emmanuel Macron is unable to run for reelection in 2027. According to Borne, the party should focus on deep reflection and grassroots mobilization rather than being a presidential stable, emphasizing the importance of the party’s unity and direction.
Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has been elected president of the group in the National Assembly and may also aspire to lead the party. However, Borne believes it is not customary to hold the positions of group president and party leader simultaneously. She anticipates that Attal will continue to lead the group rather than take on the role of Secretary General, given his energy and talent are needed in that position. Borne also aims to address the lack of local presence of the party ahead of the 2026 municipal elections and downplays any rivalry with Gérald Darmanin, her former Minister of the Interior.
In the context of the unprecedented political situation following the legislative elections, where the Assembly is more fragmented than ever and no single party can implement its program, Borne advocates for building consensus text by text. She suggests bringing together progressive leftists, centrists, and right-wing Republicans to seek compromises on issues such as agricultural policy, end-of-life legislation, and proportional representation. Borne praises Macron’s initiative to meet with party leaders and parliamentary groups to nominate a Prime Minister who can gain majority support in the Assembly.
Following her efforts to pass over sixty texts without an absolute majority, Borne has distanced herself from President Macron after the dissolution of the Assembly, feeling slighted by the argument of Assembly obstruction. She had worked tirelessly to advance legislation and now looks towards a future where compromise and consensus-building are essential for effective governance. Borne’s candidacy for the leadership of Renaissance reflects her commitment to uniting the party and addressing the challenges of the changing political landscape in France.
