French right divided over primary vote one year from presidential election

The French right is divided over whether to hold a primary vote to select its candidate for the presidential election, now just one year away. Les Républicains, led by Bruno Retailleau, are meeting this weekend to decide on the matter. This internal debate comes amid criticism, notably from Laurent Wauquiez, regarding a perceived reluctance to organize such a vote. The party's decision on a primary will shape its approach to the upcoming election, as other French parties also conduct internal polls to choose their candidates. Andrew Smith, a historian, has reviewed the political landscape for France 24 ahead of this key vote.