Candidate comparison
Retailleau vs Philippe: how alike are they?
We compare the documented positions of Bruno Retailleau and Édouard Philippe on the 46 questions in the test, issue by issue.
In brief
How do Retailleau and Philippe differ?
Bruno Retailleau (Les Républicains) and Édouard Philippe (Horizons) take the same side on most test statements where both have a sourced position, especially on the economy. Both want to cut public spending first rather than raise taxes, reduce the number of public servants, raise the legal retirement age to 65, fund part of pensions through invested savings and pay unemployment benefits for a shorter time; neither wants to keep the 35-hour week as it is. They support new nuclear reactors, military aid to Ukraine, higher military spending and mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders, and both oppose leaving the European Union. They differ on three points: Retailleau wants to abolish birthright citizenship, which Philippe rejects; Philippe supports further wind power and letting Corsica make its own rules in some areas, which Retailleau opposes. On a referendum on immigration, Retailleau is in favour and Philippe is neutral; on suspending family reunification, it is the other way round.
This summary is based on the candidates’ documented positions on the test statements; the source of each position is on each candidate’s page. Updated 19/10/2026.
Differences
Where they clash most
Immigration
Birthright citizenship (“droit du sol”) should be abolished.
Energy, climate and farming
Wind power should continue to be developed.
Foreign affairs and defence
France should offer to extend its nuclear deterrent to its European partners.
Common ground
Where they agree
Economy, taxes and debt
To reduce the deficit, public spending should be cut first, rather than raising taxes.
Both: Strongly in favour
Economy, taxes and debt
The number of public servants should be reduced.
Both: Strongly in favour
Pensions
The legal retirement age should go back to 62 or lower.
Both: Strongly against
Pensions
Part of pensions should be funded by invested savings (a funded pillar).
Both: Strongly in favour
Work and cost of living
The minimum wage (SMIC) should be raised to at least 1,600 euros a month after deductions.
Both: Against
Work and cost of living
VAT on electricity, gas and motor fuel should be cut.
Both: Against
By issue
Agreement by issue
Detail
Question by question
Economy, taxes and debt 88 %
| Question | Retailleau | Philippe |
|---|---|---|
| There should be a minimum tax of 2% on fortunes worth more than 100 million euros. | Against | Strongly against |
| To reduce the deficit, public spending should be cut first, rather than raising taxes. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| The number of public servants should be reduced. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| A wealth tax should be brought back. | Against | Strongly against |
Pensions 88 %
| Question | Retailleau | Philippe |
|---|---|---|
| The legal retirement age should go back to 62 or lower. | Strongly against | Strongly against |
| The legal retirement age should rise to 65. | In favour | Strongly in favour |
| Part of pensions should be funded by invested savings (a funded pillar). | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| All pensions should rise at least in line with inflation. | In between | Against |
Work and cost of living 90 %
| Question | Retailleau | Philippe |
|---|---|---|
| The minimum wage (SMIC) should be raised to at least 1,600 euros a month after deductions. | Against | Against |
| The legal working week should stay at 35 hours. | Against | Strongly against |
| VAT on electricity, gas and motor fuel should be cut. | Against | Against |
| Unemployment benefits should be paid for a shorter time, to encourage people back into work. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| Rent controls should apply in all large cities. | Strongly against | Against |
Health 88 %
| Question | Retailleau | Philippe |
|---|---|---|
| The State should be able to require doctors to set up practice in areas that lack them. | In favour | In between |
| Funding for public hospitals should be greatly increased, even if it costs the State more. | Against | Against |
Immigration 63 %
| Question | Retailleau | Philippe |
|---|---|---|
| There should be a referendum on immigration. | Strongly in favour | In between |
| Birthright citizenship (“droit du sol”) should be abolished. | Strongly in favour | Against |
| Undocumented workers who have a job should be given legal status. | Strongly against | Against |
| Social housing and jobs should go to French citizens first. | Against | Against |
| Undocumented migrants should keep access to State medical aid (AME). | Strongly against | Against |
| Family reunification should be suspended. | In between | Strongly in favour |
Security and justice 94 %
| Question | Retailleau | Philippe |
|---|---|---|
| Police officers and gendarmes should be presumed to have acted in self-defence. | In favour | In favour |
| Judges should have to give repeat offenders mandatory minimum sentences. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
| The sale of cannabis should be legalised and regulated. | Against | Against |
| Rubber-bullet launchers (LBD) and grenades should be banned at demonstrations. | Against | Against |
Education and youth 83 %
| Question | Retailleau | Philippe |
|---|---|---|
| Social media should be banned for children under 15. | In favour | In favour |
| School uniform should be compulsory in primary and lower secondary school. | In favour | In between |
| Parcoursup should be scrapped. | Against | In between |
Energy, climate and farming 63 %
| Question | Retailleau | Philippe |
|---|---|---|
| France should build new nuclear reactors. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| Wind power should continue to be developed. | Strongly against | In favour |
| Low-emission zones (ZFE) in large cities should be scrapped. | Strongly in favour | In between |
| Glyphosate and neonicotinoids should be banned. | Strongly against | Against |
Europe 83 %
| Question | Retailleau | Philippe |
|---|---|---|
| French law should take precedence over European law. | In between | Against |
| The European Union should take more decisions by majority, without a veto for each country. | Against | In between |
| France should leave the European Union. | Strongly against | Strongly against |
Foreign affairs and defence 80 %
| Question | Retailleau | Philippe |
|---|---|---|
| France should continue to give military aid to Ukraine. | In favour | Strongly in favour |
| France should leave NATO’s integrated military command. | Against | Against |
| France should offer to extend its nuclear deterrent to its European partners. | Strongly against | In favour |
| There should be compulsory national service for all young people. | Against | Against |
| France should increase its military spending. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
Institutions and democracy 75 %
| Question | Retailleau | Philippe |
|---|---|---|
| Members of the National Assembly should be elected by proportional representation. | Strongly against | Against |
| There should be a citizens’ initiative referendum (RIC). | In between | Against |
| A constituent assembly should be called to create a Sixth Republic. | Strongly against | Against |
Society, secularism and regions 83 %
| Question | Retailleau | Philippe |
|---|---|---|
| The 2026 law allowing assisted dying should be kept. | Against | Against |
| Corsica should be able to make its own rules in some areas. | Against | In favour |
| Girls under 18 should not be allowed to wear the headscarf in public spaces. | In between | In between |
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