Some trips sometimes have more flavor than others.
For Jean Castex, the one he is preparing to do on Thursday evening, at 8:52 p.m. sharp, will undoubtedly have a particular taste.
From the Gare d'Austerlitz (13th century), toiletries and a change of clothes in his suitcase, the Prime Minister will embark for the inauguration of the reopening of the Paris-Nice night train.
Twelve hours of travel by night, and in a fairly relative comfort of sleep.
Arrival the next day at 9:06 am.
“But he's going to get serious. I imagine that he will fall asleep counting the little trains… ”slips a member of the government with a debonair air, who is not unaware of the passion of the tenant of Matignon for the rail. In addition, this trip devoted to the themes of transport and the opening up of territories will be the 120th since it arrived at rue de Varennes, in July 2020.
Ten months after his appointment, Castex seems to have finally found his cruising speed, after a few chaotic months.
“He arrived to replace Édouard Philippe, who was very popular.
First difficulty.
He had to organize the relaunch of the country and, in the end, he had to manage two successive waves of epidemics.
Second difficulty ”, summarizes a member of the majority.
So when the terraces, cinemas and museums reopen, the Prime Minister also intends to enter a new phase.
"He is happy in the job"
“The fact of going out of all sanitary facilities finally allows it to reinvest the voice in all other fields. What he has been doing for ten days already, ”recalls his entourage, highlighting his recent positions on the reform of the civil service, the billion euros for housing as part of the recovery plan, without forgetting the regal component, where he has been very present in recent days after the tragedies which particularly affected the police. “Jean Castex, he works, he goes on all fights. He occupies the political space, ”praises Christophe Castaner, despite the presence of a few ministerial heavyweights, like Bruno Le Maire (economy), Olivier Véran (health) or Gérald Darmanin (security).
Around him, we greedily note the recent popularity polls, such as the latest Ifop barometer for Paris Match, where he wins another two points (46% favorable opinion), his record, even passing in front of the President of the Republic ( 43%).
“Times are difficult, but he is happy in his job.
It feels ”, supports a ministerial adviser.
To the point of going into a field on which we had not necessarily seen much until now, that of politics.
His words in Le JDD ten days ago, to accept the outstretched hand of Renaud Muselier en Paca, were as surprised as they caused an earthquake within the Republicans.
Above all, they have shown that Castex fully intends to take his part in the fight for the presidential campaign of 2022, which is said to be "very keen to get involved".
Expected at the turn
It is still necessary that Emmanuel Macron continues to place his trust in him in the coming months.
In recent weeks, several rumors have come to support the hypothesis of a reshuffle, and therefore of a departure of Matignon.
“Macron will need a more political Prime Minister to support him in the home stretch.
And Jean is too affected by the health crisis, ”said a visitor to the Palace.
“He also has an authority problem in his team.
We have seen it again in recent days with four ministers who believed themselves allowed to tweet about the end of life.
While the subject is supposed to be closed.
He does not hold his troops, ”attacked a cadre of La République en Marche.
Although others argue his loyalty and the fact that no one can suspect him of playing a personal score, to have a plan for the future.
At this stage, the Élysée formally denies the idea that there could be any post-regional change in Matignon. But his opponents are already waiting for him at the turn. “If the RN wins in Paca, the only question that will have to be asked then is to know what Jean Castex will do. Is he resigning or not? calls out to a prominent LR senator. Because it was he who publicly launched the destabilization offensive. So when you are a political leader, you assume. "