PARIS – Former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has dealt a serious blow to Emmanuel Macron in announcing his candidacy for the next presidential election, as the latter struggles to contain an unprecedented political crisis.
Philippe, a center-right figure who has a complicated relationship with President Macron, is preparing his troops for a presidential election in early 2025. They are banking that Macron will be forced to step down before the end of his term in 2027, according to some top members of his Horizons party. Those officials and other government advisers spoke to POLITICO on condition of anonymity to protect the relationship. Philippe, who is currently the mayor of Le Havre, was the first to break the news In an interview with Le Point On Tuesday, he told a French weekly that he “will be a candidate for the next presidential election,” which is officially scheduled for 2027. Asked if he would be ready in case of a previous vote, he replied: “Yes, I confirm it.”
His decision to publicly float Macron’s replacement so early is a major setback for the French president, who previously considered Philippe an ally.
While his presidential ambitions are an open secret, Philippe’s announcement was unexpected, as Macron intensifies efforts to appoint a new prime minister and The marathon interacts with politicians of various hues That has yet to be settled. French ministers have been serving as caretakers since July, when they resigned after a snap election that failed to produce an absolute majority in the French National Assembly.
Macron has pledged to remain in office until the next presidential election in 2027, as a guarantee to French institutions.
But it is clear that Philippe, who ran the French government from 2017 to 2020, thinks his former boss cannot last much longer and is ready to make it public. He has already tasked his party Horizons to be “ready for spring” in 2025, according to top party leadership contacted by Playbook Paris.
“He believes everything can move,” said someone close to Philip.
Even if a new government is appointed in the coming days, it will have to be faced An immediate and uphill battle to get a tough budget through A divided and hostile parliament, which could lead to another domestic crisis. France cannot submit a slimmed-down budget for 2025 without a new government, and the new budget must be submitted to parliament before 1 October and voted on before 1 January.
Best frenemy
Philippe and Macron’s relationship was previously defined by rivalry and mutual respect. The former prime minister, who is one of France’s most popular politicians, pledged “loyal but free” support for Macron, with his party Horizons endorsing the French president in parliament.
But relations were suddenly strained following the French president’s decision to call a snap election following a strong far-right national rally during European elections in June. The former prime minister blamed Macron for “killing” the governing coalition by sending his troops unprepared into this summer’s polls.
The Elysee Palace played down Philippe’s declared presidential ambitions, saying he was more focused on assembling a government to run the country. “We need to find a new prime minister, to face the crisis and the challenges facing the country. So the rest …” said the Elysee advisor.
“He’s out of sync,” another government adviser said of Philip. “In January, he refused to join the government; In June, he did not want to participate in the parliamentary coalition, and this summer, when we are trying to rebuild the majority, he is completely absent.”
Philippe’s latest announcement is expected to permanently damage his relationship with Macron and other centrists. The former prime minister met the president for two hours on Monday, without once mentioning his plans to announce his candidacy, according to two people with knowledge of the talks.
Outgoing interior minister Gerald Darmanin was “furious” with Philippe, according to one of Darmanin’s advisers.
“Macron will now have only one objective, which will be to nuke Philippe,” he said.
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