What if Jean Castex ultimately became the alternative between Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal?

For several months, the 2027 presidential election already seemed to be written within the presidential camp: on one side Édouard Philippe, declared candidate since 2024 with his Horizons party; on the other Gabriel Attal, who officially announced his candidacy yesterday from Aveyron.

The 37-year-old former Prime Minister now wants to embody the renewal of Macronism. In his inaugural speech, Gabriel Attal promised a “project of the future and of hope” for France, while trying to gradually distance himself from the legacy ofEmmanuel MacronBut this official entry into the race also accelerates the rivalry with Édouard Philippe, who has appeared for months as the favourite of the centre in opinion polls.

A war of heirs that weakens the central bloc

The problem for the presidential majority is simple: the more ambitions multiply, the greater the risk of implosion. Édouard Philippe enjoys an image of stability, experience, and being a "safe bet" among a segment of the moderate electorate. Gabriel Attal, on the other hand, is trying to appeal to a younger generation with a much more direct and aggressive campaign.

This internal competition could, however, leave some centrist voters without a leader. Between Édouard Philippe, sometimes considered too cold or too technocratic, and Gabriel Attal, still perceived by some as the "pure product of Macronism," several political leaders are quietly beginning to look towards another figure: Jean Castex.

The former Prime Minister maintains a unique profile in the French political landscape. Unlike other centrist contenders, he remains relatively detached from daily partisan clashes. Since leaving the government, Jean Castex has focused on managing public transportation, first at the RATP and then at the SNCF, cultivating an image of a serious and reassuring manager.

The “normal candidate” of Macronism?

The paradox of Jean Castex is precisely what could be his strength today. In a France marked by political fatigue, successive crises, and the rise of extremism, his style, so far removed from the classic codes of presidential communication, may appear as a credible alternative.

During the health crisis, Jean Castex had gradually succeeded in establishing a sense of connection with the French people. His southwestern accent, his sometimes awkward but perceived sincerity, and his image as a man of action ultimately earned him unexpected popularity. While Gabriel Attal seeks to embody energy and Édouard Philippe emphasizes stature, Jean Castex could symbolize a calmer, less divisive stability.

Above all, he possesses a strategic advantage: he has not yet been involved in the ego war currently raging within the presidential camp. As tensions rise between supporters of Édouard Philippe and those of Gabriel Attal, some elected officials might be tempted to back a figure capable of uniting the party without disrupting the internal balance.

A still very theoretical hypothesis

For now, there is no indication that Jean Castex actually wants to enter the presidential race. No structured political movement is officially working on a candidacy, and the former Prime Minister remains extremely discreet in public about his national ambitions.

But French politics has already shown that scenarios deemed improbable can quickly become credible when the balance of power becomes unstable. Emmanuel Macron himself was still considered an outsider just a few months before 2017.

With Édouard Philippe's candidacy already launched and Gabriel Attal's official announcement this week, the battle for the center-right is entering a new phase. And in this increasingly high-profile contest, some are beginning to wonder if the true surprise candidate of Macronism might ultimately be Jean Castex.