why the right is increasing its distance from Macron

The blows did not necessarily come from where they were expected. In recent days, as tension rose in the National Assembly around the vote on the Social Security financing bill (PLFSS), which was held last Tuesday, two former Prime Ministers called for its rejection: first Édouard Philippe, then Michel Barnier.

Two figures from the right from parties making up the “common base”… and already looking towards 2027. In a Macronist camp which is cracking, the challenge is no longer to shoot first, but above all not to be the last to do so.

Stand out at all costs

“We are in this period of anxious waiting among leading political leaders. All their gestures, all their actions are geared towards the 2027 presidential election.
analyzes political scientist Roland Cayrol.

First to draw, Édouard Philippe. On December 4, he urged the deputies of his Horizons party not to vote “as is” for the PLFSS. Given a decline in the polls in recent weeks, the mayor of Le Havre can no longer afford to seem attached to the Macron ship. So he takes initiatives to show that he keeps his distance while continuing to capitalize on his time at Matignon (2017-2020). A political tightrope walk that does not escape his rivals for the presidential election: Xavier Bertrand, president of the Hauts-de-France regional council, denounces in Édouard Philippe “a sort of personal revenge (against Emmanuel Macron, editor’s note)”.

The right in pre-campaign

If the attacks are perhaps less virulent, the logic is the same for Michel Barnier. The former Brexit negotiator for the European Union is also seeking to distance himself from
other contenders from his political family by taking a position on the PLFSS without waiting for instructions from his party or his parliamentary group.

“As soon as you become a leading politician, you access a rank that only exists in France: that of candidate for the presidential election,” recalls Roland Cayrol. And in this
In this row, the fear of appearing late pushes everyone to shoot before the other.