French Lawmaker Urges Center, Right to Unite Behind Philippe

French lawmaker Jérémie Patrier-Leitus called on center and right leaders, from Bruno Retailleau to Gabriel Attal, to "accept the outstretched hand" of Édouard Philippe, who has proposed a unity meeting for the political center, RFI reported.

Patrier-Leitus argued that facing the rise of the far right and far left, Philippe is best positioned in polls and is playing his proper role in calling for unity, according to the report, which noted center-bloc leaders have so far firmly declined.