Gérald Darmanin is expected to join the Bayrou government, but not at any price. One portfolio in particular interests the former Minister of the Interior.
The Bayrou government will be unveiled before Christmas, and could even be named “over the weekend”, according to the Prime Minister’s statements, Thursday December 19 at the microphone of France 2. This new executive will be made up of “men and women of “experience, knowing what the daily life of the French is like”, he indicated last weekend in the columns of La Tribune Dimanche.
The ideal structure of Béarnais is simple: a third of the positions for the right, a third for Macronists, and the same thing for the left. All this, in a government of 25 ministers made up of leading figures. In these conditions, Gérald Darmanin could well make his return. But not for just any wallet.
Gérald Darmanin “wants a regal ministry”
A few months ago, Gérald Darmanin was eyeing the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. A prestigious ministry, which was for him “the only thing that would have meaning”, he admitted to Le Parisien, even though Michel Barnier (former Prime Minister) constituted his government. “He understood that his position was not favorable to him for the future and his personal ambitions. He is much less audible today, and he knows it,” a member of the presidential camp told BFMTV about the elected northerner. .
Indeed, since the dissolution of the National Assembly, the 42-year-old man has found a position on the benches of the lower house of Parliament. He is now a deputy for the 10th constituency in the North. It is clear that its influence has considerably diminished.
For four years, as Minister of the Interior and Overseas Territories, he was one of the big fish in the successive governments of Jean Castex, Elisabeth Borne then Gabriel Attal. Place Beauvau, he was almost part of the furniture, he was in any case one of the historic ministers of the Macron era. This is why the latter would not be ready to do anything to accept a position and above all, not just any position. “Gérald does not know at all what he is going to do (…) He knows that places are going to be expensive and does not want to accept a state secretariat for veterans, he wants a regal ministry”, assured yesterday a of his relatives to La Dépêche du Midi.
In “campaign for the Quai d’Orsay”?
According to Le Figaro, the former mayor of Tourcoing would have “very badly experienced” his departure from the Ministry of the Interior. An executive from the presidential camp even assures that he is “campaigning for the Quai d’Orsay”, to replace Jean-Noël Barrot, also very popular in macronie.
At the same time, François Bayrou “did not make the phone calls, but he knows who is up for it”, indicates a minister expected to join the executive to Politico, this Friday, December 20. Gérald Darmaninis even leading a fierce campaign to be part of it”, a close friend of the ex-tenant of Beauvau told the media. Verdict in a few days if the deadline set by the tenant of Matignon is respected.