Three months after the departure of Édouard Philippe from Matignon, Emmanuel Macron invited him to dinner at the Élysée, this Monday, October 5.
A symbolic reunion for the former executive couple who have not seen each other since July 3.
That day, the Head of State had chosen to appoint Jean Castex as head of government, despite the popularity of Édouard Philippe.
The two prime ministers are also due to have dinner together on Tuesday, October 6.
Since then, the mayor of Le Havre, increasingly popular in opinion polls, has continued to appear in the public debate.
Supporting Senator LR Agnès Canayer in the context of the senatorial elections, Édouard Philippe was out of his media reserve.
“
I think
we're going to face a storm
- an economic storm, a health storm, a storm in every way - and maybe a social storm, maybe a political storm.
And I think that the times to come are difficult times, ”
he told the podium on September 16.
Words strongly noticed by those close to Emmanuel Macron
The “Philippostalgia” even at En Marche
Surprised by the enthusiasm around his statements, according to his relatives, Édouard Philippe immediately sought to calm things down. A week later, the former head of government went to Angers, the city of Christophe Béchu, to find “Macron-compatible” right-wing mayors.
He deplored “
the personal adventures
”, saying he was “
extremely faithful and loyal to the reasons for which he was committed”
to Emmanuel Macron in 2017:
“The audacity, the political overtaking and reforming ambition.
"
Four days later, we found the dialogue with the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, about the Grand Paris ... as mayor of Le Havre.
While a "
Philippostalgia"
rises to the ranks of La République en Marche, those close to Édouard Philippe continue to highlight the "
loyalty
" of their friend to Emmanuel. Macron and his desire to contribute to the re-election of the President of the Republic in 2022. In what place?
If Emmanuel Macron wanted him to help him expand his majority, Édouard Philippe has not yet responded to this service offer.
So many subjects on the menu for this dinner at the Élysée.
