Emmanuel Macron had lunch on Friday with François Hollande to discuss "after confinement". The opportunity for the president to start the second and last phase of his five-year term and to send signals to the left wing of Macronie. Emmanuel Macron had already received Nicolas Sarkozy earlier this week.

DECRYPTION

Emmanuel Macron received his predecessor François Hollande on Friday at lunchtime. The President of the Republic wanted to talk about "after confinement". This meeting marks a change of strategy on the part of the President of the Republic, because during the crisis of yellow vests, then that of the coronavirus, Emmanuel Macron had not called on the former president.

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Since the start of his mandate, Emmanuel Macron has even conscientiously ignored François Hollande. He has received the Sarkozy couple several times, with whom he has created a personal and political relationship. François Hollande has always been put aside. Emmanuel Macron built his practice of power in opposition to that of his predecessor, whom he had called "talkative presidency". The last time that François Hollande was received publicly at the Elysée Palace was on September 30, 2019 during a lunch of heads of state after the ceremony in tribute to Jacques Chirac.

The second and last phase of the quinquennium

If Emmanuel Macron first wanted to distance himself, he now wants to change strategy, because he is entering the second and last phase of his five-year term, but also because he is in difficulty, especially on the left side of Macronie. The results of the municipal elections could show this on Sunday, with the rout announced. Emmanuel Macron is facing a real challenge: sending signals from the left. We will see to what extent this will materialize with the reshuffle early next week.

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It remains to be seen what the two men will say to each other. After political exchanges and analysis on the situation of the country, François Hollande could take this opportunity to settle accounts with Emmanuel Macron. Because on the side of the former socialist president, there is a very strong resentment, which is not expressed officially but which is very real. Tuesday afternoon, Emmanuel Macron had talks with Nicolas Sarkozy, there too to discuss the "new stage" of the quinquennium.