At the microphone FranceinfoOn Tuesday, March 24, Maud Bregeon let slip a short phrase that sounds like a milestone in the 2027 race. According to the government spokesperson, "Édouard Philippe is best placed to lead the presidential battle." The scene is familiar, almost formulaic: Emmanuel MacronPrevented by the Constitution from seeking a third consecutive term, he leaves a void and, in this void, ambitions begin to be counted aloud.
To support her argument, Maud Bregeon focused on the unforgiving reality of the situation. On Sunday, Édouard Philippe was re-elected mayor of Le Havre with 47,71% of the vote, ahead of Communist MP Jean-Paul Lecoq (41,17%) and Franck Keller, the UDR-RN candidate (11,12%). Within the government, this result is being touted as proof of electoral strength and as a signal sent to right-wing and centrist voters, those whom Macronism has long courted without always retaining.
The underlying message is clear: at this stage, Philippe would serve as the best point of equilibrium in a broadened presidential camp still finding its footing. Gabriel Attal is a presence, Bruno Retailleau occupies the space on the right, François Bayrou keeps a watchful eye on the MoDem, and the parliamentary group leaders are counting their strength. Everyone is keeping a close eye on each other, but no one wants to reveal their hand too soon. In this game, the former Prime Minister is advancing with a trump card: a party, Horizons, and an image of a manager that many find reassuring.
The "common core" is being asked to choose its champion
Maud Bregeon didn't just offer a compliment; she also laid out a plan. She called on those in charge of the "common core" to meet quickly, with a simple idea: to work towards "a single candidacy from the first round" and build a shared platform. The intended unity would extend "from the center bloc to the Republicans, and even to those who refuse an alliance with the National Rally." In other words, a broad coalition, but with a red line—the National Rally—serving as both a moral compass and an electoral boundary.
This strategy, on paper, has an undeniable logic, but in practice it is fraught with pitfalls. Maud Bregeon asked Bruno Retailleau "to be clear" after his refusal to choose between Christian Estrosi, the incumbent mayor supported by Horizons, and Éric Ciotti, allied with the National Rally, in Nice. The reader will have understood: the issue is not simply about designating a candidate, but about who is in charge when local alliances muddy national promises.
One final, telling sign of the times: the government spokesperson doesn't rule out discussions beyond the center-right and the traditional right, citing Raphaël Glucksmann for his distance from La France Insoumise. Macronism, after promising to transcend its traditional divisions, now finds itself attempting to assemble a coalition piece by piece, like a coalition being hastily put together. Édouard Philippe may be "best positioned" today; it remains to be seen whether his current position will become his future seat.
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