“François Bayrou played the balance of power, and won. In doing so, he gained authority and room for maneuver” | EUROtoday

Ln February 22, 2017, in a restaurant adjoining the Palais de Tokyo, in Paris, François Bayrou speaks with Emmanuel Macron, in entrance of the digital camera of Yann L’Hénoret (Behind the scenes of a victoryTF1). “It’s a weird thing, President of the Republic. You’re not the right age, but that doesn’t matter. If you can succeed where I failed (…) I will help you”, slips the president of the MoDem, paternalistic, to the young candidate of En marche!, when giving him decisive support. Seven years later, the man who became head of state received his old ally at the Elysée, to whom he had promised Matignon while having other plans in mind.

Friday morning, December 13, Emmanuel Macron told him that he intended to appoint Sébastien Lecornu. “I have joined forces with you to do big things, not small things”retorts François Bayrou, who has all the time been cautious of the resigning minister of the armed forces whom he considers an apparatchik and a courtier.

The President of the Republic defends his choice. “So, I’m leaving you”decides the mayor of Pau, in cold anger, stating that their common adventure ends there. “I’ll remind you”temporizes Emmanuel Macron who, at the end of a crazy morning – a happening that bordered on vaudeville – finally decided to name it. The circle is closed. Macronism, which took power with and undoubtedly thanks to François Bayrou – before drifting to the right – could therefore end with him, in the center.

Mr. Macron blinded by the illusion that he remained the master of the game

Since the vote of the French – who have twice sanctioned the presidential camp, in the European elections and in the legislative elections – the head of state, who has such difficulty in giving up his power, has done everything to make people forget this transition to electoral vacuum. The day after the second round of legislative elections, he requested a “Olympic Truce” to finally appoint Michel Barnier, from a party which had made less than 5% in the 2022 presidential election and is now only the fifth group in the National Assembly, deliberately ignoring the left-wing coalition, which came first. After censorship, same scenario, accelerated: Emmanuel Macron takes all his time, stages consultations, to finally appoint one of his own.

You have 55.68% of this text left to learn. The relaxation is reserved for subscribers.