Edouard Philippe calls for new party to counter Le Pen

Former French prime minister Edouard Philippe called on Sunday for a new party or alliance to bring together the centre and the right as moderates seek to prevent Marine Le Pen from coming to power.

Philippe, a presidential hopeful and leader of the Horizons party, told supporters in Tourcoing that he wanted a new political structure ahead of parliamentary elections expected to follow France's April-May presidential vote.

He said the project could take the form of a governing pact, a new party or a confederation of parties. He said it should field a single candidate in each constituency under a common banner to try to build a parliamentary majority.

Le Pen, 58, is the front-runner in the polls with less than eight months until the presidential election. Recent surveys indicate that Jean-Luc Melenchon, the leader of hard-left France Unbowed, could emerge as Le Pen's most likely run-off opponent, raising doubts over Philippe's ability to reach the second round.

Philippe said those who shared his political values should unite so France did not move either toward Melenchon's France Unbowed or toward what he called Le Pen's nationalist, identity-based populism. He cited respect for the rule of law, commitment to European integration and support for a market economy.

Gabriel Attal, leader of the centrist Renaissance party and another possible contender for centrist support, criticised Philippe in Chalons-en-Champagne, saying his rival was campaigning with ideas from 20 years ago. Attal claimed he was now polling at roughly the same level as Philippe and said there was no natural candidate or clear favourite in the election.

Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, who this month pledged not to stand and endorsed Philippe, praised him before supporters in Tourcoing. Darmanin said Philippe was the only person who could win the presidential election and secure a parliamentary majority.

Responding to Philippe's proposal, Attal said the cart should not be put before the horse, adding that the presidential election had to be won first.