The race for the presidency of France's Les Républicains (LR) party is heating up as Laurent Wauquiez and Bruno Retailleau formally submit their candidacies.

Wauquiez, backed by 7,150 endorsements and 52 parliamentarians, opposes the idea of primaries, calling them divisive.

Retailleau, supported by prominent figures like Valérie Pécresse and Xavier Bertrand, has gathered endorsements from over 100 parliamentarians.

The election, set for May 17-18, will see LR members choose their leader, with both candidates vying to shape the party's future direction.

The debate over primaries highlights deeper divisions within LR, as the party seeks to rebuild its influence ahead of the 2027 presidential race.