Edouard Philippe is afraid that he will be taken for a “old jerk”. That being so, ” I am what I am “, admits the former Prime Minister, as one would quote Prévert. The mayor of Le Havre (Seine-Maritime), 51, is one of those men who like order, speak with emotion of their military service and arrive on time for their appointment. This May 7, the city councilor therefore had to compose so as not to keep friends from Le Havre waiting. Their wedding is scheduled for 11 a.m. and he must officiate. At the same time is the investiture of Emmanuel Macron, in Paris.
To scroll ? Impossible. Edouard Phillipe does not let go of his « pots ». Missing the ceremony dedicating the start of the second five-year term of the Head of State is just as unimaginable. His absence would only fuel the rumor of stormy liaisons maintained between the two men since the departure from Matignon of the former member of the Republicans (LR). So Edouard Philippe composes, arranges. The wedding is delayed by a few hours. The man « loyal » to the Head of State, as he hammers it to better convince himself, is at the Elysée at the appointed time.
In the village hall, in the middle of the crowd, his head, hoisted over his meter ninety, exceeds that of relatives, courtiers and ambitious people. Emmanuel Macron warmly greets Nicolas Sarkozy, cordially evacuates François Hollande, then approaches Edouard Philippe. Looks, virile handshakes, smiles. And suddenly, the hand of the head of state flies away and pats the cheek of the mayor of Le Havre. Embarrassed. Emmanuel Macron reiterates, this time placing his hand on the neck of the former prime minister, as one would caress the neck of a horse. Embarrassment. Edouard Philippe looks down.
The popularity of the mayor of Le Havre annoys the head of state
The Head of State, who has just been re-elected with 58% of the vote against his far-right opponent, Marine Le Pen, repeats the unprecedented nature of his situation. For the first time since 1965, a president was re-elected outside the period of cohabitation. Emmanuel Macron lets it be said that he owes nothing of this victory to Edouard Philippe and floats in the atmosphere the little acid phrases of his entourage towards the former LR. The popularity of the mayor of Le Havre annoys the head of state, unloved by the French. With the approach of the legislative elections, the lack of consideration of the “macronie” towards the former head of government resulted in the 58 nominations granted to the candidates of his party, Horizons, out of the 556 of the presidential camp. Crumbs.
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