The image was expected: Emmanuel Macron and Edouard Philippe together to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Le Havre, the city of which the latter is mayor, just a few days after Edouard Philippe’s declaration of candidacy for the presidential election, which was badly received at the Élysée. A ceremony during which they put on a show.
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Apparently, there was no rancor or animosity between the President of the Republic and his former Prime Minister who chose to make his candidacy for the presidential election official without informing the Head of State, with whom he had had a meeting two days earlier.
A source of annoyance for the president’s loyalists, one of whom went so far as to consider that the moment was ” indecent “.
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But in Le Havre, in this solemn memorial exercise, Edouard Philippe and Emmanuel Macron took care to appear as two political leaders who respect each other and republican customs.
” Thank you, Mr. President of the Republic, I know how much you love this city. ” said one, the other, adding: “ The mayors have succeeded one another, driven by the same passionate devotion to the people of Le Havre, yourself, Mr. Mayor, dear Édouard Philippe. »
Appropriate thanks and the expression of two visions of France that are not so far apart. Emmanuel Macron celebrant: “ France, which knows how to unite in danger, gathered in tears as in glory “, And Edouard Philippe calling ” to cherish more than anything that something immaterial, but powerful and indestructible, which is called France. »
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Emmanuel Macron and Edouard Philippe played their part, even appearing relaxed when going to shake hands, showing their differences in style more than their fundamental disagreements. One still president, the other aspiring to become one.