Jacques Serais 09h00, 08 October 2021

The former Prime Minister is preparing to launch his political training in his city of Le Havre on Saturday.

An initiative watched like milk on the fire by the other components of the majority, who suspect Édouard Philippe of playing his part in a possible second five-year term of Emmanuel Macron.

DECRYPTION

He is the favorite politician of the French, according to the polls, with solid popularity 15 months after leaving Matignon. But the former Prime Minister no longer wants to be satisfied with his town hall in Le Havre. Édouard Philippe launches his own party on Saturday in Le Havre. For the guests, meet at the Carré des Docks in the port city while neither the name nor the logo of the party have been made public. There is only one indication: a tweet from the councilor, declaring that he wants to "participate in the constitution of a new political offer", "go beyond the short term" and "see far to do well".

See far to do well.


Go beyond the short term.


Build a strategy for France.


Participate in the constitution of a new political offer.


Help the President to enable France to succeed.



Meet on October 9 in Le Havre: https://t.co/STZcxAj6Lrpic.twitter.com/MrFvwIKJJo

- Edouard Philippe (@EPhilippe_LH) October 4, 2021

Macron-compatible elected officials courted

If Édouard Philippe assured Emmanuel Macron of his support, La République en Marche looks at all this with a wary eye.

The former strongman of Matignon wants to weigh, what is more at a pivotal moment in French political life.

No, he is not targeting the Élysée in 2022, but he barely hides his intentions for the future, with 2027 in his sights.

And this work begins now.

With this new party, Édouard Philippe wants to enlarge the current majority, to seek mayors and deputies classified on the right and Macron-compatible.

Saturday, it will appear for example with the mayor of Angers, Christophe Béchu, or that of Fontainebleau, Frédéric Valletoux.

So many elected officials who could then endorse the Philippist colors in the next legislative elections.

A pro-Macron delegation in Le Havre

In the event of a second five-year term, Emmanuel Macron would have no other choice but to compose with these parliamentarians.

Édouard Philippe would then place himself as an essential figure for the Head of State for the next five years. 

This strategy causes a lot of mistrust in the camp of the Head of State.

After having procrastinated for a long time, the Walkers finally decided to show up on Saturday.

The pro-Macron delegation will be led by the president of the LREM group to the National Assembly, Christophe Castaner.

Elected members of the Modem and the center-right Agir party will be on site, more to monitor and hold on to Édouard Philippe, than to applaud him.