First Round Of Voting Opens For Les Republicains Presidential Nominee

The first round of voting opens today to decide the presidential nominee of the centre-right Les Republicains (LR). While the party sits in the doldrums in polling terms (its prospective candidates sitting largely in fourth place in first round presidential polls), they will be hoping that selecting a nominee will provide a much-needed boost to the campaign.

• Les Republicains' election takes place in the same style as the French presidential vote, with all candidates contesting in the first round. If no single candidate achieves 50%+1 of the vote, the top two placed candidates go through to a second round.
• The candidates are: President of the Regional Council of Hauts-de-France Xavier Bertrand, President of the Regional Council of Ile-de-France Valerie Pecresse, former European Commissioner Michel Barnier, member of the National Assembly from Alpes-Maritimes Eric Ciotti, and former MEP Philippe Juvin.
• Bertrand performs best in nationwide opinion polls and would likely prove the candidate most likely to make the presidential run-off. Barnier and Ciotti are seen as having tacked to the right with tough talk on immigration. Their status as loyal party members could also provide them with a boost among delegates.
• The congress announcing the winnner of the second round takes place on 4 December.