"The discussion with the majority partners, which we requested, did not take place. We are surprised by this. And we are waiting for it to take place," said a member of Horizons.

While a first salvo of majority nominations should soon be unveiled, another executive underlines that "the device is not stalled, not decided" between allies.

And that if there were "preparatory exchanges" before the first round of the presidential election, Horizons has since been "waiting for it to resume", even though "discussions between La République en Marche and the modem".

In the background, the recurring tensions between Edouard Philippe and Emmanuel Macron are emerging, which nevertheless seemed to be put on hold during the presidential election, the mayor of Le Havre having notably welcomed the candidate president in his stronghold of Le Havre in the interval between the two towers. .

But the head of state activates himself to poach on the right, and could directly forge pacts with deputies Les Républicains favorable to the presidential majority.

A way for Mr. Macron to circumvent and reduce the influence of Mr. Philippe who would target "30/40 deputies" according to a parliamentarian from the party.

In the political office on Tuesday, the former Prime Minister declared in return, according to several participants: "I am never bound by a deal that I did not pass".

Implying that, without consultation, Horizons could present candidates including in the constituencies concerned by an agreement between the majority and these LR deputies.

"We can stretch the pole, there are sometimes a little irrational behavior vis-à-vis Edouard Philippe", deplores a party executive, noting that the boss of the Modem François Bayrou had publicly called for this "that there is Edouard Philippe around the table".

The former tenant of Matignon also closed the door to the hypothesis of a single party mentioned by Mr. Macron, declaring that it does not "seem to him possible".

"A party ranging from Rebsamen (socialist) to Abad (LR, not yet joined), there is enough to slap the adductors", observes a Horizons executive.

© 2022 AFP