At a time when the parties are organizing their summer universities, Gérald Darmanin has decided to make his political comeback solo for the first time, by bringing together his supporters on Sunday August 27 in Tourcoing, his stronghold in northern France. Rejected from Matignon with the renewal of Elisabeth Borne, the Minister of the Interior no longer hides his interest in 2027.
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Everything is a matter of symbol in this meeting of Tourcoing. First, the choice of the moment – just after the reshuffle – to let it be known that this year, he would organize his return to his side as Gérald Darmanin, a man in the field and from Tourcoing and not only Minister of Emmanuel Macron. The announcement resonated as a response to the disappointment of not having been chosen to replace Elisabeth Borne.
Symbol also in the ambition displayed: to address the “working classes”, those even to which Emmanuel Macron has a hard time talking, by promising an atmosphere “sausages and fries”, without fuss. Nothing to do with the “start-up nation”.
Sarkozy’s support
Symbol and promise in the text explanation with a right-wing daily interview Le Figaroin the middle of August, so that those who had not yet understood, realized that Gérald Darmanin had now entered the race for 2027.
His ex-mentor Nicolas Sarkozy made no mistake about it and gave him his support with some praise by starting the promotion of his latest book. In the second volume of his memoirs, The time of battlesthe former President of the Republic describes Gérald Darmanin as “ one of the most promising forties “. He even adds that he wishes him to cross “ the final stage, that which leads to the presidency of the Republic “.
But in the majority, the initiative of Gérald Darmanin does not only make people happy. The Prime Minister even sent him a message, in the form of a warning, during the interview she gave to France Bleu after the Council of Ministers back to school. ” 2027 is a long way off “, she said, explaining that she expected her ministers to be ” at work “.
Rampart against Marine Le Pen
It does not matter, for Gérald Darmanin who assumes his approach and denies being motivated by his personal ambition alone. In an interview at The voice of the North, published on August 25, the Minister of the Interior explains why he decided to be heard. According to him, Marine Le Pen’s victory in 2027 is ” quite likely “if his side” let slip a majority of the working and middle classes at the National Rally.
Gérald Darmanin sees himself as a bulwark and organizes himself, even if he affirms his ” hyper-loyalty to Emmanuel Macron. Whoever loves him therefore follows him to Tourcoing. Elisabeth Borne will not be there.
For their political comeback, Les Républicains are looking for their course
Several thousand activists are expected to listen to the speech of the president of the LRs on Sunday noon before a large banquet. And in this new school year, Eric Ciotti’s priority will again and always be to stay the course.
By Pierrick Bonno
Eric Ciotti is used to gathering his troops on the heights of the country of Nice. But this is the first time he will do so as head of his political family. After the painful episode of the pension reform – where the Republicans were torn – and before the perilous examination of the budget and the immigration law in Parliament, the deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes will try to close ranks.
With a firm response, in particular to the interview with the President of the Republic in the weeklyPoint. According to his entourage, Eric Ciotti will discuss the next deadlines which are European and municipal. And he will repeat one thing: the Republicans must maintain their independence from Macronie.
Because currently, some party executives still doubt it. “ We must settle the question of the alliance with Emmanuel Macron, otherwise we will not be able to move forward “Admits an LR mayor who has been pleading for many months for a rapprochement with the majority.
The question of the candidate for the next presidential election will also be invited into the debates. Laurent Wauquiez, tipped for 2027, will be in the front row on Sunday. But Nicolas Sarkozy’s support for ex-LR Gérald Darmanin complicates the situation a little more.