Before the April 24th second round of presidential elections, President Emmanuel Macron of France denied forming any broader political deal with conservative former President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Media in France have claimed that Sarkozy’s backing of Macron was gained in exchange for political favors.

After Sarkozy’s endorsement, Macron told the press on Wednesday that “there was no agreement” between the two of them.

Read More: Former French President Sarkozy backs Macron’s ‘experience’

Marine Le Pen, a far-right contender, is challenging Emmanuel Macron in the polls.

Macron will benefit from Sarkozy’s support by conservatives who backed Sarkozy’s own Les Républicains nominee Valérie Pécresse in the first round. Nevertheless, it might scare away left-wing voters who will take it as more proof that Macron, despite his claims to be a centrist, is just as much to the right as Sarkozy was during his time in office.

He was France’s last conservative president and is still revered by his Les Républicains party even at the age of 67.

However, many of the party’s supporters chose Macron or Le Pen in the first round on Sunday, putting the party’s survival in jeopardy.

Additionally, Macron declared on Wednesday that he was prepared to build new political partnerships in order to continue changing France.

As a result of the country’s divisions, Macron stated, “I will need to mobilize all those political forces behind me who don’t share my views on all matters but would be willing to working with me on some measures.” Macron added.

This is not about coalitions, he said, because he felt coalitions would be inappropriate under France’s democratic system.