His return to France is regularly mentioned ... since his departure for Barcelona, almost three years ago. It is now done. "I want to be useful to the French", never ceases to proclaim the former Prime Minister of François Hollande, over recent interviews in the Spanish and French press or from the pages of his book "Not a drop of French blood" (Grasset) . A return that remains a non-event for the socialists, many of whom reproach him not only for his line, security and secular, against radical Islamism and anti-Semitism, but also and above all for his de facto rallying to Emmanuel Macron.
This "comeback", on the other hand, does not leave the entourage of the Head of State indifferent.
For some, there is no question of reaching out to him.
“The time has come for the French to come together and to dispassionate the political debate.
But Manuel Valls is too divisive a personality, ”insists a member of the government.
For others, on the contrary, Valls has a role to play.
"One year before the presidential election, in the context of the push of the National Rally, a personality like Valls can be of real use", slips a relative of the President of the Republic.
Read also Manuel Valls's resignation from Barcelona City Council: "He hadn't already left?"
Long kept at bay by the Head of State, who had not hesitated to humiliate him by refusing him the LREM label during the 2017 legislative elections, Manuel Valls is, it seems, returned to favor.
"The relationship with the President of the Republic is now continuous, peaceful and constructive," says Harold Hauzy, former adviser to Valls in Matignon.
Obtaining a ministry after the regional ones?
A "Valls-mania" has also seized for a few weeks some of the government members, some of whom, like Marlène Schiappa, have pictured themselves alongside her on Twitter.
To the point that rumors already lend him the obtaining of a ministry - Interior or Foreign Affairs - after the regional ones.
Happy to welcome the former Prime Minister and former Minister of the Interior @manuelvalls Place Beauvau for a fascinating exchange on the defense of the values of the Republic.
pic.twitter.com/PJXrQ8aLmv
- 🇫🇷 MarleneSchiappa (@MarleneSchiappa) May 12, 2021
As in Spain where the expression flourishes since it allowed Catalonia to remain out of the control of the Independents, the former Prime Minister hopes well to "make a Valls" also in France, that is to say " move the lines.
"" There is both an expectation and a fragility on the left of the presidential majority that Manuel Valls, through his words, his experience and his consistency can help fill, analyzes Harold Hauzy.
Facing the far right, he can participate in further opening up the political game to the left.
"
“The left wing of the macronie is neglected. However, Valls can help us to work on it, because there remains a strong incarnation on the left with a clear republican line, recognizes the adviser of a minister. If he succeeds he will ask for something in return. What we will study after the presidential election… ”But nothing is settled.