Bruno Retailleau
President of Les Républicains and Senator for Vendée · Les Républicains (LR)
Where they stand
The latest thing they said on each issue, dated. Tap an issue for their words and the source.
Economy and energy
Pension reform Keep the reform
Said
He could never have voted for a budget that abandons the 2023 pension reform.
“Jamais je n’aurais pu voter un budget où l’on abandonne la réforme des retraites.”
Our translation Never could I have voted for a budget in which the pension reform is abandoned.
Source « Je serai la surprise de cette élection » (interview, republished by Les Républicains)
Taxing the very rich No new tax on wealth
Said
The tax on unproductive wealth voted in the 2026 budget debate should be undone, as it hits families' savings.
“Nous reviendrons sur les folies fiscales de LFI et du RN, comme la taxe sur le patrimoine improductif, qui taxe les livrets A et les contrats d’assurance-vie, c’est-à-dire l’épargne des familles.”
Our translation We will go back on the fiscal follies of LFI and the RN, such as the tax on unproductive wealth, which taxes Livret A accounts and life-insurance contracts, that is to say families' savings.
Nuclear power Build new reactors
Said
France should relaunch nuclear power, the most sovereign low-carbon energy, and stop spending billions on wind.
“Cessons d’engloutir des milliards dans le vent, qui gonflent la facture du consommateur. Relançons l’atome et exploitons tout le formidable potentiel de la géothermie.”
Our translation Let us stop sinking billions into wind, which swell the consumer's bill. Let us relaunch the atom and exploit all the formidable potential of geothermal energy.
Society
Immigration Sharply cut immigration
Said
Illegal immigration should be stopped and legal immigration reduced, which needs changes to the Constitution and to EU rules.
“Si nous voulons stopper l’immigration illégale et réduire l’immigration légale, il faudra le faire avec fermeté et méthode.”
Our translation If we want to stop illegal immigration and reduce legal immigration, it will have to be done with firmness and method.
Source « Ma candidature ira jusqu’au bout » (interview in the JDD, republished by Les Républicains)
Assisted dying Against assisted dying
Said
He voted against the bill's core article because he is fundamentally opposed to assisted suicide and euthanasia.
“Personnellement, j’ai voté contre, parce que, fondamentalement, je suis opposé au suicide assisté et à l’euthanasie.”
Our translation Personally, I voted against, because, fundamentally, I am opposed to assisted suicide and to euthanasia.
Source Sénat, compte rendu intégral, séance du 12 mai 2026 (droit à l’aide à mourir, deuxième lecture)
France in the world
Ukraine Keep arming Ukraine
Said
Parliament should quickly pass a law to seize France's share of frozen Russian assets to buy arms for Ukraine and later rebuild it.
“Je propose que le Parlement puisse voter très rapidement une proposition de loi permettant de récupérer la partie française de ces avoirs, pour financer l’achat d’armes et, le moment venu, la reconstruction de l’Ukraine.”
Our translation I propose that Parliament be able to vote very quickly on a bill allowing the French share of these assets to be recovered, to finance the purchase of arms and, when the time comes, the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Palestinian state Not now
Said
He backs two states, but the conditions Macron set for recognition, release of the hostages and disarming Hamas, were not met.
“Je suis favorable à la solution des deux États, mais pas à l’instauration d’un État islamiste voulant l’éradication d’Israël, comme le prône le Hamas. Or, les conditions qui avaient été posées par le président de la République lui-même, sur la libération des otages et le désarmement du Hamas notamment, ne sont pas remplies aujourd’hui.”
Our translation I am in favour of the two-state solution, but not of the establishment of an Islamist state seeking the eradication of Israel, as Hamas advocates. Yet the conditions that had been set by the President of the Republic himself, on the release of the hostages and the disarmament of Hamas in particular, are not met today.
- EU–Mercosur dealNothing on record yet
Who they would govern with
Governing with the RN No coalition with the RN
Said
He rejects uniting the right through party alliances, while wanting to speak to all voters, including the RN's.
“Je ne crois pas à l’union des droites par les appareils, mais je veux parler à tous les électeurs, y compris ceux du RN.”
Our translation I do not believe in the union of the right through the party machines, but I want to speak to all voters, including those of the RN.
No change of mind on record yet: every position above is the latest they have stated, with its date.
How this works
Each change shows what they said then and what they said later, in their own words, dated, with the source.
Every quote is checked word for word against a saved copy of its source. Translations are labelled.
The short labels on each line are our summaries.