There are three years left before the presidential election.
It is both long and very short for those who are actively preparing for it.
Like Édouard Philippe who has been eyeing the Élysée since his departure from Matignon in 2020. While he is, according to his supporters, the best hope of the majority to win in 2027, the appointment of Gabriel Attal as Prime Minister came to reshuffle the cards.
If the mayor of Le Havre slightly dominates the current head of government in voting intentions, his successor is never far behind, or even equal to him.
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The two men were even tied at 22% in the first round according to the latest survey carried out by Ifop for Current Values published at the beginning of February.
A sign that Édouard Philippe is no longer crushing the competition in his own camp.
If the Norman is keen to chart his course, continuing his tour of France, particularly in Reunion this week or in Sarthe and Mayenne around ten days ago, he is brushing aside any emerging rivalry with the tenant of Rue de Varenne.
In confidences granted to Le
Parisien,
and published this Thursday evening, Édouard Philippe brushes aside the idea of a
“match”
that
“everyone will want to play”
.
“It’s as expected as it is uninteresting
,” he exclaims.
“With Gabriel (Attal), we speak regularly, we even had dinner together shortly after his arrival at Matignon
,” he says to better cut short rumors of disagreement with a view to 2027. Because the former first Minister intends to maintain a certain level of view.
And does not officially want to get into political quarrels.
Read alsoMarine Le Pen accelerates her preparations for 2027
With his successor,
“things are going very well, he is a professional”.
“I have no problem with that.
And even, if I can help him, well, I will help him,”
promises Alain Juppé’s former right-hand man.
Who perhaps sees an interest in it, seeking to capitalize on the popularity of his successor.
In the Ifop-Fiducial barometer for Paris Match and Sud Radio, Gabriel Attal (53%, +1) has also become this week the favorite personality of the French ahead of Édouard Philippe (52%, -4), who has held this title since ... December 2021.
If these survey hazards are not relevant in the long term, they still mean something at the moment T. If Édouard Philippe is not losing momentum, Matignon's ex has an obsession: how to manage the time that separates him from the presidential election, when he is no longer in charge?
“There are a lot of people who say that talking about 2027 now is way too early.
But if the strategy in 2027 is the one that prevails to prepare for the European elections in 2024...then, I prefer to think about it early
,” says the former prime minister.
Who adds, confidently:
“Three years to prepare is short.
I know where I’m going, it’s quite thoughtful.”