Xavier Bertrand will be received this Monday at the Elysée by Emmanuel Macron as part of the “continuation of consultations” for Matignon. Candidate for the post of Prime Minister, the LR president of the Hauts-de-France region nevertheless lacks support.
This Monday, September 2, 2024, the president of Les Républicains (LR) of Hauts-de-France, Xavier Bertrandwill be received by Emmanuel Macron as part of the “continuation of consultations” for Matignon as indicated by the Elysée. Self-proclaimed candidate for the post of Prime Minister on August 6 in the columns of Le Figaro, “prepared” and “ready to take up the challenge”, the former minister under Nicolas Sarkozy had even received the support of certain members of the resigning government, such as the resigning Secretary of State for the City, Sabrina Agresti-Roubache, the resigning Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, the resigning Minister for Equality between Men and Women, Aurore Bergé, or even on the right, that of the President of the Ile-de-France region, Valérie Pécresse.
Since then, the future has darkened slightly for Xavier Bertrand, faced with competition from the former socialist Bernard Cazeneuve whose candidacy for Matignon seems to overshadow him. Now, the former Minister of Labor, Employment and Health must find new support on the right to support his candidacy with a view to a potential coalition between Les Républicains and the Macron camp. But time is running out, the President of the Republic should appoint the new Prime Minister “by Wednesday”, according to information from Release. For his part, the former head of state Nicolas Sarkozy indicated last Friday in the columns of Le Figaro that a “right-wing prime minister” was necessary, stating that the name of Xavier Bertrand could be “a good choice”. Will this weighty support be enough?
A time supported by heavyweights of Macronie
In a press release written last week, the Elysée indicated that there were “possible avenues for coalition and joint work between different political sensibilities”. On the other hand, nothing suggests that Emmanuel Macron will move towards the right for the post of Prime Minister. Gérald Darmanin, once in favour of Xavier Bertrand’s candidacy, has even shown himself open to a coalition government led by a left-wing personality. “We are talking today about Mr Bernard Cazeneuve. And why not, Mr Cazeneuve is a respectable man, he is not part of my political family, I once fought him, but I see that he is a great republican, secular”, indicated the deputy from the North on BFMTV on 27 August. “We could very well discuss a coalition with a socialist like Mr Cazeneuve”, he added.
During the month of August, Xavier Bertrand, on the other hand, enjoyed a good popularity rating and real support for his candidacy for Matignon. His profile was acclaimed by the right wing of Macron’s party, including staunch Republicans. “He is a great Republican among Republicans and a great regional president,” declared Sabrina Agresti-Roubache, the resigning Secretary of State for Urban Affairs, on La Grande Interview on Tuesday, July 30 on CNews. The day before, on France 2, the Bertrand case was already supported by the resigning Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, close to the elected official from the North: “He is a politician with great competence,” he could “greatly serve France.” “I have my friends, but I am not the President of the Republic,” indicated the number 3 of the resigning government.
And the support doesn’t stop there. “If I had been elected President of the Republic, I would probably have chosen Xavier Bertrand” as Prime Minister. “He’s a very good candidate, against Lucie Castets, there’s no match,” declared the President of the Ile-de-France region, Valérie Pécresse, on France Inter on August 5. A minister even indicated to Politico Politico that the appointment of Xavier Bertrand to Matignon would allow “pressure to be put on Wauquiez” or at least force the leader of the LR in the National Assembly to “come and discuss, really” with the central bloc.
Field man, open to compromise
The profile of the president of the Hauts-de-France region, however, appears to be one that could allow Emmanuel Macron to speak to both the right and the left. The “scent of cohabitation” desired by the head of state would take on its full meaning. “We need an emergency government, with the Republicans, the independents, the different parties of Mr. Macron and perhaps also men and women of good will who clearly want our country not to be blocked, paralyzed in the Assembly,” Xavier Bertrand had indicated on France 2, before the “Olympic truce” decreed by the President of the Republic.
Xavier Bertrand benefits from another asset that could please the tenant of the Elysée, playing the territory card. A man of the field, close to the people, Xavier Bertrand has been the president of the Hauts-de-France region for 8 years now, an advantage for Emmanuel Macron often criticized for his lack of empathy towards the French and his disconnection from Paris. The local elected official can also highlight his skills in budget management, as many assets that make the 59-year-old man a candidate who is both credible and “Macron compatible” to cross the doors of the Hôtel de Matignon.
Who is Xavier Bertrand?
Born on March 21, 1965 in Châlons-sur-Marne, Xavier Bertrand began campaigning for the RPR at the age of 16. After studying law, he became an insurance agent while also getting involved in politics. In 2002, he became a member of parliament in the second constituency of Aisne. In 2004, he was Secretary of State for Health Insurance and then Minister of Health and Solidarity.
After supporting Nicolas Sarkozy in his campaign for the 2007 presidential election, Xavier Bertrand was appointed Minister of Labor, Social Relations and Solidarity in François Fillon’s government. In 2010, he became Minister of Labor, Employment and Health and Mayor of the city of Saint-Quentin.
After François Hollande was elected President of the Republic in 2012, Xavier Bertrand left his ministerial portfolio, but was re-elected as MP for the 2nd constituency of Aisne. Former Secretary General of the UMP (2008-2010), he remains Mayor of Saint-Quentin. During the 2014 municipal elections, he was re-elected in the first round as Mayor of the city with 52.73% of the vote.
During the 2015 regional elections, he was propelled as a candidate in the new large Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie region. He faced Marine Le Pen (FN) and Pierre de Saintignon (PS). Against all expectations, the National Front came out on top in the first round. The Socialist Party then decided to withdraw its candidate to counter Marine Le Pen. Xavier Bertrand was finally elected in the second round with 57.77% of the vote. He took office as president of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie region in January 2016 and was re-elected in June 2021 with 52.37% of the vote. In 2021, he failed to be invested by Les Républicains for the presidential election.