The Republican Party of France and the Christian Democratic Party of France are holding a privately-administered presidential primary on November 20. Seven candidates are on the ballot. If no one gets 50%, there will be a run-off primary on November 27. The primary is open to any voter who pays two Euro’s and who signs a pledge that he or she “supports the values of the center and the right.” Party membership is not required.

The seven candidates for the nomination debated each other on November 17. In France, debate sponsors strictly apply equal time. See this story and note the time-keeping device in the front of each candidate’s podium.

The seven candidates are Jean-Francois Cope, Francois Fillon, Alain Juppe, Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, Bruno LeMaire, Jean-Frederic Poisson, and Nicolas Sarkozy. The general election is in May 2017.