What is Édouard Philippe playing?
Audio 03:10
The mayor of Le Havre and former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, February 9, 2021 in Paris © Joël Saget / AFP
By: Julien Chavanne
7 mins
This is his big comeback since leaving Matignon.
Édouard Philippe returns to the light.
The former prime minister is releasing a book next week.
After 9 months of hindsight, the mayor of Le Havre talks to the French again.
Publicity
Last July, Édouard Philippe left Paris and the first Covid crisis behind to find his city of Le Havre, with a dazzling popularity rating.
Since then, almost nothing.
Some postcards to evoke his taste for the series or for football.
But not a word on national policy.
End of the media diet
The front page of Le Point last Thursday.
France 2 8 p.m. this Sunday.
France Inter next week.
The release of his book entitled:
Impressions et lines clair
, co-written with his lifelong advisor Gilles Boyer, gives him the opportunity to speak to the French, with a newfound freedom.
Édouard Philippe looks back on his three years spent at Matignon and takes the opportunity to slip in his analyzes, rather pessimistic on the future and the finances of the country.
What is Edouard Philippe looking for?
The most popular politician in France first of all wants to maintain his positive image with the French.
Politically, he has never maintained his networks so much.
In addition to his galaxy of right-wing mayors, he fills his agenda with meetings and lunches in Paris.
At the table, the figures on the right parade.
Gérard Larcher, the president of the Senate.
Valérie Pécresse, the president of the Ile-de-France region, or even Senator LR Bruno Retailleau.
"
He's doing his rounds,
" slips a relative of a participant.
Édouard Philippe even created a microparty called “
Le Havre!
".
His cap as mayor of an average town does not prevent him from having time and other desires.
Maneuvers for the next presidential election?
Édouard Philippe evacuates the subject without saying no formally.
Will he go so far as to oppose Emmanuel Macron, the one who made him go from a shadowy deputy to a leading politician?
The idea of this return is above all to remain in the landscape, to consolidate its capital of sympathy and its political network, while waiting for its moment, without rushing.
The former spokesperson for Alain Juppé in the right-wing primary in 2016 has not forgotten that good polls do not necessarily make a president.
Could it be for example a recourse for the right?
Some Republicans are seriously considering it.
"
Doudou if he goes, on the right, he would be a hit,
" says a tenor from LR, who calls him by his nickname.
“
As Chirac said, we are a dissident until we win
”.
At the top of the state, we minimize the threat, perceived or real.
In Matignon, the entourage of Jean Castex ensures that the Prime Minister "
looks at all this from very very far, it does not interest him
".
Vigilance around Emmanuel Macron.
One of the historical macronists warns: "
Édouard Philippe does not close any door, if he could surf the political situation and achieve something, he would do it
".
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