Gabriel Attal warns of LFI-RN runoff risk, proposes liaison committee with Edouard Philippe

Former French Prime Minister and Renaissance secretary general Gabriel Attal said on Thursday he has proposed a liaison committee with representatives of Edouard Philippe to coordinate strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election, warning that a second-round runoff between La France Insoumise (LFI) and the far-right National Rally (RN) would be "terrible for the French."

Attal, interviewed on franceinfo's "8h30 franceinfo" on Thursday 7 May 2026, said: "Ce qui rendra un rassemblement impérieux, c'est si effectivement, il y a un risque de deuxième tour entre LFI et le RN." He added: "On a tous les deux à cœur d'empêcher un second tour qui serait terrible pour les Français" and "Je ne veux pas de cela pour la France."

Attal said he has proposed a "comité de liaison" with Philippe's representatives. The committee, he said, works on "le calendrier, sur les conditions dans lesquelles ce rassemblement serait absolument nécessaire et ils travaillent sur ce qu'il se passerait dans ce cas-là." Attal declined to say whether he would withdraw in favor of Philippe if polls show Philippe ahead. He said he does not oppose the idea of a primary.

Separately, Attal commented on the departure of former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who announced on Wednesday on France Inter her resignation from the National Council of Renaissance and her intention to focus on her structure "Bâtissons ensemble." Borne expressed disagreement with the party's line, saying it is "pas forcément débattue" internally.

"Elle fait le choix aujourd'hui de créer sa propre structure, c'est son droit," Attal said. "On est en démocratie, chacun fait ses choix, moi je n'ai pas à les commenter." He added: "J'ai beaucoup de respect pour Elisabeth Borne, qui a été une Première ministre courageuse."