In Angers on Friday, Édouard Philippe, through the voice of his followers, assured that he was not considering a presidential candidacy in 2022. "He is there to keep the elected officials in the orbit of the president," slips one of his relatives at Europe 1. But three months after leaving Matignon, the former Prime Minister continues to excite the right and the center.
The former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe went, at the call of the ex-LR Christophe Béchu, to the workshops of the association "the Republic of mayors" Friday morning in Angers.
A closed-door meeting with elected officials from the right and the Macron-compatible center ... who could support the mayor of Le Havre in 2022?
"The time has not come for personal adventures," said the person concerned.
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"More than ever, he considers that personal adventures are useless"
Despite his insolent popularity and those who dream of seeing him candidate in 2022, there is no question for the former Prime Minister to stir up any rivalry with Emmanuel Macron.
Édouard Philippe "fits perfectly into this logic of going beyond which was initiated by the President of the Republic", explains the deputy LREM Thierry Solère, close to the mayor of Le Havre and who was responsible for reporting to the press the words of the former tenant of Matignon, who has spoken only once in the media since leaving his post.
"More than ever, he considers that personal adventures are useless and what is needed is to produce ideas and therefore to work", continues the former quaestor of the National Assembly.
Work, yes, but while remaining loyal to the Head of State, assures the mayor of Angers Christophe Béchu, who was re-elected in his city in July on a list comprising walkers but also LR.
"He reiterated how much he had remained faithful to the spirit of 2017", explains the elected, while insisting on "the triptych worn by Emmanuel Macron and taken up by Édouard Philippe: the country needs daring, overtaking and reforms. "
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"He is there to keep elected officials from the right and the center in the president's orbit"
Discreet, left quickly at the end of the morning, Édouard Philippe quietly maintains his network of elected officials from the right and the center.
"He is there to keep them in the orbit of the president", confides one of his relatives, "because we must not leave in nature those who might be tempted to look elsewhere."
On the side of Xavier Bertrand for example, who on Europe 1 Sunday recalled his "determination to be a candidate".
Édouard Philippe, him, still leaves the doubt on his participation in the race of small horses.
At this point, she is excluded.
But the mayor of Le Havre knows that he could have, if he wishes, a stable in running order behind him.