French elections: The centrists face an electoral dilemma. "Much more serious than any differences that may exist between us"

The elections in France: The centrists face an electoral dilemma. "Much more serious than any differences that may exist between us" The political center in France is divided regarding the nomination of a common candidate to face Marine Le Pen, the representative of the far right, in the upcoming presidential elections. Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal advocates for organizing primary elections in which several political formations will participate. "We need this alliance," he stated on TF1, according to Agerpres. Primary elections are inevitable, and the sooner they happen, the better, Attal added. On the other hand, Édouard Philippe, also a former prime minister and presidential candidate, affirmed that such a common approach would create confusion among voters. He stated for the same television program that potential candidates from the center and center-right support very different visions. Attal replied that they share fundamental values and warned that "the disaster of a second round between Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Marine Le Pen would be much more serious than any differences that could exist between me and the other candidates." The current polls clearly place the right-wing populist Marine Le Pen in the lead for the first round of the vote. Depending on the polling institute and the list of candidates, she is credited with a score between 32% and 38%. In second place is the left-wing veteran Jean-Luc Mélenchon, with 15-20%. Candidates from the center and center-right have lost support, almost without exception, in the last period. Philippe continues to register the best score, reaching up to 16%. Social democrat Raphael Glucksmann also registers a similar score in polls. The elections will take place in two rounds, in the spring months and more of next year. The idea of a common candidate, representing different formations, from the President of the Republic's Renaissance party under Emmanuel Macron to conservatives, has been around for some time. However, the idea has not benefited from significant support until Attal, the leader of Renaissance, expressed his support for this initiative.