Candidate comparison
Retailleau vs Zemmour: how alike are they?
We compare the documented positions of Bruno Retailleau and Éric Zemmour on the 46 questions in the test, issue by issue.
In brief
How do Retailleau and Zemmour differ?
Bruno Retailleau (Les Républicains) and Éric Zemmour (Reconquête) take the same side on most test statements where both have a sourced position. Both want to cut public spending first, reduce the number of public servants, fund part of pensions through invested savings and raise the legal retirement age to 65 rather than go back to 62. They back a referendum on immigration, abolishing birthright citizenship and mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders, and both oppose giving legal status to undocumented workers and keeping State medical aid (AME). They want new nuclear reactors, no further wind power and the end of low-emission zones. They differ on Ukraine and NATO: Retailleau supports continued military aid to Ukraine and opposes leaving NATO’s integrated command, while Zemmour takes the opposite view on both. Zemmour also supports giving French citizens priority for social housing and jobs and a large increase in funding for public hospitals, which Retailleau rejects. Retailleau, for his part, wants the State to be able to require doctors to set up practice in areas that lack them, which Zemmour opposes.
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
Social housing and jobs should go to French citizens first.
Foreign affairs and defence
France should leave NATO’s integrated military command.
Common ground
Where they agree
Economy, taxes and debt
There should be a minimum tax of 2% on fortunes worth more than 100 million euros.
Both: Against
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
Economy, taxes and debt
A wealth tax should be brought back.
Both: Against
Pensions
The legal retirement age should go back to 62 or lower.
Both: Strongly against
Pensions
The legal retirement age should rise to 65.
Both: In favour
By issue
Agreement by issue
Detail
Question by question
Economy, taxes and debt 100 %
| Question | Retailleau | Zemmour |
|---|---|---|
| There should be a minimum tax of 2% on fortunes worth more than 100 million euros. | Against | 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 | Against |
Pensions 100 %
| Question | Retailleau | Zemmour |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | In between |
Work and cost of living 75 %
| Question | Retailleau | Zemmour |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | In between |
| VAT on electricity, gas and motor fuel should be cut. | Against | In favour |
| Unemployment benefits should be paid for a shorter time, to encourage people back into work. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
| Rent controls should apply in all large cities. | Strongly against | Against |
Health 50 %
| Question | Retailleau | Zemmour |
|---|---|---|
| The State should be able to require doctors to set up practice in areas that lack them. | In favour | Against |
| Funding for public hospitals should be greatly increased, even if it costs the State more. | Against | In favour |
Immigration 79 %
| Question | Retailleau | Zemmour |
|---|---|---|
| There should be a referendum on immigration. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| Birthright citizenship (“droit du sol”) should be abolished. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| Undocumented workers who have a job should be given legal status. | Strongly against | Strongly against |
| Social housing and jobs should go to French citizens first. | Against | Strongly in favour |
| Undocumented migrants should keep access to State medical aid (AME). | Strongly against | Strongly against |
| Family reunification should be suspended. | In between | Strongly in favour |
Security and justice 94 %
| Question | Retailleau | Zemmour |
|---|---|---|
| Police officers and gendarmes should be presumed to have acted in self-defence. | In favour | Strongly in favour |
| Judges should have to give repeat offenders mandatory minimum sentences. | Strongly in favour | Strongly 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 92 %
| Question | Retailleau | Zemmour |
|---|---|---|
| Social media should be banned for children under 15. | In favour | In between |
| School uniform should be compulsory in primary and lower secondary school. | In favour | In favour |
| Parcoursup should be scrapped. | Against | Against |
Energy, climate and farming 94 %
| Question | Retailleau | Zemmour |
|---|---|---|
| France should build new nuclear reactors. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| Wind power should continue to be developed. | Strongly against | Strongly against |
| Low-emission zones (ZFE) in large cities should be scrapped. | Strongly in favour | Strongly in favour |
| Glyphosate and neonicotinoids should be banned. | Strongly against | Against |
Europe 67 %
| Question | Retailleau | Zemmour |
|---|---|---|
| French law should take precedence over European law. | In between | Strongly in favour |
| The European Union should take more decisions by majority, without a veto for each country. | Against | Strongly against |
| France should leave the European Union. | Strongly against | Against |
Foreign affairs and defence 75 %
| Question | Retailleau | Zemmour |
|---|---|---|
| France should continue to give military aid to Ukraine. | In favour | Against |
| France should leave NATO’s integrated military command. | Against | Strongly in favour |
| France should offer to extend its nuclear deterrent to its European partners. | Strongly against | Strongly against |
| 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 | Zemmour |
|---|---|---|
| Members of the National Assembly should be elected by proportional representation. | Strongly against | In between |
| There should be a citizens’ initiative referendum (RIC). | In between | In between |
| A constituent assembly should be called to create a Sixth Republic. | Strongly against | Against |
Society, secularism and regions 75 %
| Question | Retailleau | Zemmour |
|---|---|---|
| The 2026 law allowing assisted dying should be kept. | Against | Strongly against |
| Corsica should be able to make its own rules in some areas. | Against | Against |
| Girls under 18 should not be allowed to wear the headscarf in public spaces. | In between | Strongly in favour |
What about you? Which of the two do you agree with more?
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