It will also be a huge personal ambition for Philippe, who has long had his sights set on running for the Élysée. As prime minister from 2017 to 2020, he led France through the Covid crisis, but was eventually ousted by Macron when the president wanted to give his government a “new direction,” a decision that many in the administration believed was due to Philippe’s high popularity ratings.
This month’s local elections are an opportunity to launch his campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential race. But Philippe now risks slipping before he even gets to the starting line.
Shock poll from Feedback Method landed last month and predicted that Philippe could be pressed by the right and the left in the second round of the fight in Le Havre. Philippe was seen winning with only 40 percent, beaten by the Communist Jean-Paul Lecoq with 42 percent. Franck Keller, supported by the RN, was set to win 18 percent.
On Friday, POLITICO caught up with the 55-year-old Philippe on the campaign train. He was running between events but still wanted to grab a beer, stop by and talk to voters – in true retail politician style.
“The election is always tight here,” he said in an interview with POLITICO between two campaign stops on Friday. “Le Havre is a working-class city where the Communist Party is deeply rooted and powerful.”
While the Communist Party is no longer a national power, many of the issues close to the hearts of its voters are similar to those driving the National Assembly vote in other parts of the country. Here in Le Havre, blue-collar voters emphasize job protection, early retirement and a strong welfare state.
