Bruno Retailleau, leader of the French right-wing party Les Républicains, held his first major campaign rally in Paris on Saturday. Thousands of supporters gathered at the Parc floral to hear Retailleau formally launch his bid for the French presidency. He was the sole speaker at the event, designed to showcase his candidacy and galvanize support. The rally, described as an attempt to demonstrate his “guts” – a phrase used in promotional materials – signals a key moment in the lead-up to the presidential election. Retailleau aims to position himself as a strong contender against other potential candidates. The event’s attendance is being closely watched as an indicator of his public appeal and campaign momentum. This marks a significant step in his efforts to gain traction within the party and with the wider electorate.