France, May 13 -- Meeting on Tuesday evening, the National Council - often described as the Renaissance party's "parliament" - adopted a motion urging the party's secretary-general to stand as a presidential candidate in 2027. Attal, France's former prime minister, now has until 1 October to officially declare his candidacy.

According to the party, his bid would only become final after a vote by Renaissance members expected in the coming weeks.

The motion passed overwhelmingly, winning 221 votes - or 91 percent - against 22 votes in favour of holding an internal primary. Ten members abstained.

The 303-member council was chaired "exceptionally" by MEP Fabienne Keller following the resignation of Elisabeth Borne last week, herself a form...