Regional: in Hauts-de-France, the majority cut down on the Dupond-Moretti card

Monday, in our columns, the Keeper of the Seals assured that he would support "all the candidates" of the majority who requested him.

And a few weeks ago, he indicated that he did not “think (r) be a candidate”.

Suffice it to say: the most media-oriented of ministers did not plan to rub shoulders with universal suffrage.

Especially since it is crumbling under the files: he defends his bill on justice in the assembly - he spent the day there this Wednesday - and is preparing a text on criminal irresponsibility, following the Sarah Halimi case.

Only here it is: the plans of the ex-lawyer have been turned upside down. According to numerous sources, confirming information from the Politico site, Éric Dupond-Moretti wants to throw himself into the battle for regional in Hauts-de-France. "This track has been rustling for 48 hours," slips the deputy LREM of the North Anne-Laure Cattelot. "It is his native region, he grew up, worked there," says one in the entourage of the minister. He has an affection for this region. He is looking to see if he can usefully help the presidential majority. "And to add:" He would not be the Prime Minister to present himself in front of the voters at this time. Tuesday, the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin announced to seek a chair of departmental council in the North ...

What fly stings the Keeper of the Seals?

"The risk of the National Front", assert the macronists.

In this region, the RN is credited with impressive scores.

The Minister of Justice will be able to sing his favorite register, that of the fight against extremism.

"Dupond-Moretti is a very good weapon against Marine Le Pen", comments an adviser to the executive.

An application to hinder the ambitions of Xavier Bertrand

Barely stale, the news caused a blast effect. Calls, meetings: the day was marked by intense reflection in all camps ... For Macronist strategists, this candidacy also aims to hamper the ambitions of Xavier Bertrand, outgoing president of the region and opponent of Emmanuel Macron for 2022. " The arrival of Moretti will annoy him, welcomes a minister. He sees the arrival of an excellent debater, who has the ability to dominate the entire media space. He shouldn't have told us to go fuck ourselves… ”.

Sunday, the former Minister of Health of Nicolas Sarkozy closed the door to any reconciliation with the LREM list led until then by the Secretary of State for Pensions Laurent Pietraszewski. "I am convinced that we can win and that we will win alone," trumpeted Bertrand, promising not to change the list between the two rounds. “This candidacy does not worry us more than that, reacts the Senator of the North LR Marc-Philippe Daubresse and support of the ex-LR. Dupond-Moretti is perceived as a leftist lawyer, close to Martine Aubry. It will especially sting voices on the left. He can hope to win the César for best supporting role, but that of the leading role will be awarded to Xavier Bertrand ”.

It remains to define the exact place of the Keeper of the Seals.

Regional leader?

Head of the departmental list?

In which department?

When will the announcement be made official?

The caciques of En Marche must also spare Laurent Pietraszewski, who had started his campaign.

"I often consult Eric Dupond-Moretti, including very recently on the program, I want to integrate it into the system, we are thinking about it together", contented himself with reacting the Secretary of State, before the arrival of Dupond- Moretti.

A bet as daring as it is risky

For Emmanuel Macron, the bet is as daring as it is risky. Will his minister remain in government in the event of victory or crushing defeat? The opposition will not fail to raise another question: can we be in charge of Justice and at the same time campaign? "Dupond-Moretti will not spend four days a week in the field going door-to-door," retorts one of his government colleagues. The campaign will be short, dematerialized, on social networks and the media. There will be no meeting. "

Anxious to bring a national color to these regions, Emmanuel Macron closely follows the destiny of Hauts-de-France. A land where he should soon make a stopover as part of his Tour de France… "He will return this summer to my constituency of Avesnois," MP Anne-Laure Cattelot believes. This is where Marine Le Pen had renewed her candidacy for 2022, it is there that Xavier Bertrand began his regional campaign, in May… ”A step heavy in symbols.