A slow false flat rather than a sprint. Leaving Matignon in 2020, Édouard Philippe chose to stay outside the government machine. An uncomfortable position, far from the spotlight. Without a portfolio, the former Prime Minister cannot invite himself to “8 p.m.” to make thunderous announcements. Ally of the government with its Horizons party, Le Havre cannot afford to hit too hard on its little comrades at the helm. So, Philippe swarms.
Far from the Le Havre town hall, of which he is the tenant, he carefully surveys France's sub-prefectures, often without cameras. And if each visit is carefully recorded on a map of France, Philippe does not forget to cultivate his networks and sets some milestones in Paris. As Le Havre is only a 2.5 hour drive from the capital, it is not uncommon to see the long silhouette of the former head of government in the streets adjoining the National Assembly.
Édouard Philippe is in the countryside 24 hours a day
“It’s simple, Édouard Philippe is in the countryside 24 hours a day,” confides a relative. Until now, his bodyguard explained “ that he was preparing to be a candidate”, comparing him to Jacques Chirac and brushing aside an image that we like to attach to him: that of an Alain Juppé bis, doomed to fail. In a smaller committee, his lieutenants have reached a milestone. “Édouard will be a candidate”, they finally dare. Which left little doubt among the majority parliamentarians.
At the Assembly, coffees and lunches
Well aware that he will soon have to broaden his hard core, the former Prime Minister is increasing his meetings with Renaissance deputies, often face to face. “ He simply treats people. It may seem old-fashioned and old “popol” but it's not stupid if we compare it to the attitude of our president”, explains an early Macronist MP. The fifty-year-old listens, and also reassures. “In the majority, a little music rises about the takeover of the Horizons clan and a possible big clean-up, explains another. He tells us that we can count on him and reassures us, without asking us to join his stable. »
