Emmanuel Macron campaigning for his record

This is the Elysée’s new strategy: on the sidelines of official, announced, marked trips, where Emmanuel Macron has been systematically welcomed by pans for several weeks, the president arrives in a place chosen at the last moment, literally on leaving the ‘plane. A counterpoint assumed by the presidency, to take the opponents of the pension reform by surprise and allow the head of state to discuss directly with the French.

These images are useful for the Élysée: unlike casseroles and demonstrations, they show citizens in a market who, randomly on a display, find themselves face to face with the president. Very little visible security, barely a camera, and a dialogue that begins… The last surprise visits, to Dôle as well as to Pérol, have made it possible to see exchanges that are often natural since they are unprepared, sometimes firm or even critical, but never hostile. For the Elysée the image is perfect: a president in contact, who does not seem to be afraid. A way of trying to break the image of an isolated and cloistered Emmanuel Macron, an image he had given in recent months by hardly setting foot on the ground.

Exercise is still risky

It’s without a net, but it’s the Elysée’s bet: “Spontaneity and sincerity”, confides to us one of the president’s relatives. But indeed, it can be risky. If today in Charente-Maritime or another day, Emmanuel Macron found himself, by chance, facing very upset French people, if he were forced to leave under boos, the image would then be catastrophic. It is moreover this risk which makes that part of the entourage of the president was not at all for this idea at the start.

The return to the field was, surprisingly, rather pushed by the president’s former advisers and collaborators, those who had already had to manage his return to the field after the Covid. But basically, if these impromptu outings are good in terms of image for him, they are also necessary: ​​since the beginning of his mandate, Emmanuel Macron remains the best VRP of his policy. No minister weighs as much as he does, and that is also why during these exchanges we hear the president selling free hearing aids here, third-party payment there, or even support for companies and employees during the pandemic…

After six years in power and without the possibility of running again, Emmanuel Macron has gone back to the campaign, this time for his record. After the episode of retirements which does not really calm down, this is the only chance he has to regain control over his last four years at the Elysée.