From our journalist in Bordeaux,
“Europe, Europe, Europe!” » Gathered all weekend in Bordeaux for its back-to-school campus, the Macronist family had almost nothing but this word on their lips. Between the defense of Emmanuel Macron’s record, the “rock star” style welcome from Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, and the multiple round tables devoted to this subject, the presidential camp had no continues to remind us that Europe remained at the heart of its DNA. Not insignificant as the European election next June looms.
“We will be the only pro-European bulletin on the table,” Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said this Sunday from the podium. Europe on all levels… but still no face to embody it. While his adversaries are already in battle order and the moment seemed ideal to launch the rocket, Macronie is playing for time. But why wait to nominate your candidate?
The official reason: the project first
“Before talking about the candidate, we need to talk about the project.” This classic of political communication was the line of the Macronists throughout the weekend. If Jordan Bardella (RN), Manon Aubry (LFI), Marie Toussaint (EELV) or even Marion Maréchal (Reconquête) have already been designated by their party, the presidential camp does not seem in a hurry to unveil its headliner.
“The objective is to have a candidate at the beginning of next year. In the meantime, we must remember how strategic this election is. It will be a vote for or against Europe,” breathes Sylvain Maillard, the boss of the Renaissance deputies. “You have to follow the steps. It may seem surprising, but we work on the background first. The RN is perhaps ahead of incarnation, but in terms of project? They have nothing, apart from being against Europe,” adds Prisca Thévenot, Secretary of State for Youth and Universal National Service of France.
The unofficial reason: the hesitations of the favorite
“We are by far the most pro-European political force! This is the promise of our party.” For two days, Stéphane Séjourné was the center of attention. The boss of the Renaissance party and leader of the Macronist group (Renew) in the European Parliament is the favorite to don the costume of the battle general. But does he even want it? “We are waiting to know what his intentions are. This (Saturday) morning, he told us that he was determined,” confides a minister.
Determined to go, but not necessarily number 1. “Stayed is not completely sure. In a logic of coalition with our allies, I am not sure that it is good given that the leader of Renaissance is at the head of the list,” says a deputy. “We need someone who really wants it. If Séjourné hesitates, it’s because that’s not the case,” sighs an executive. “Stéphane has a choice to make. Either he continues his brilliant career in Europe – without necessarily being at the top of the list so as not to be damaged – and he can hope to run for an important position as president of the European Parliament. Either he becomes more involved and can then join the government for services rendered,” adds an influential MP.
The unspeakable reason: the Bardella scarecrow
In the 2019 European elections, the National Rally list led by the young Jordan Bardella took (narrowly) first place under the noses of the Macronists. Four years later, the man who is now president of the RN is a feared adversary. “I don’t agree with anything with him, but in the genre, he’s a real talent, a strong guy. He has no qualms so we will need someone ready to fight with him,” says François Patriat, the boss of the Renaissance senators.
“He’s ultra-strong, he’s a war beast. We don’t always know what he thinks, he’s not techie, but he’s very smart,” adds a Macronist MP, who adds: “There will only be good candidates facing us. Aubry is talented, Maréchal will do harm on the right, it will be a campaign of brilliant young guns,” he adds.
The strategic reason: not to nationalize the countryside
If the presidential camp does not wish to reveal its headliner, it is so as not to launch the campaign too early. “We are more prepared for campaigns Blitzkrieg [guerre éclair]like that of the presidential election which was favorable to us only for long campaigns”, confides Sacha Houlié, Renaissance deputy and president of the Laws Commission.
“It’s going to be a very nationalized campaign,” confirms one of his colleagues. People will want to give their opinion on Macron’s mid-term, it will be a sort of midterm “. François Patriat also fears an overly nationalized ballot. “Whether we like it or not, part of the voters will vote for or against Macron. We will not escape it! We therefore need a short, muscular campaign, with a team of fighters,” he says. At the podium this weekend, Stéphane Séjourné quoted the former president of the European Commission, Jacques Delors: “In Europe, you need the firefighter but also the architect”. For the candidate, on the other hand, it will be necessary to retake it.