REPORTING. At the Agricultural Show, a warm but uneventful welcome for Édouard Philippe

In the aisles, the former Prime Minister tests his popularity, even if it means overplaying his bon vivant side.

It’s Édouard Philippe’s turn to wander the aisles of the Agricultural Show. The former Prime Minister, who is preparing for the 2027 presidential election, is at Porte de Versailles in Paris, Thursday February 29. The opportunity for him to test his popularity, almost four years after leaving Matignon.

After noon, Édouard Philippe, with a smile on his face, lingers in the Overseas hall. Since the beginning of the morning, he has stopped wherever he is stopped and the juppeist becomes a Chiracian. When we offer him “a little mojito, unique, artisanal and without alcohol of course”, “alcohol-free ?”, retorts, amused, Édouard Philippe who accepts it. In addition to the contrast with Emmanuel Macron’s rowdy visit, the mayor of Le Havre overplays the bon vivant side with all simplicity. The former enarque, a senior civil servant, who some have sometimes presented as a “cold techno” does not deprive himself of tasting the dishes that are offered to him.

But the fact remains that, three and a half years after leaving Matignon, a lady called him “Édouard Balladur” when crossing him. Obviously, memories are sometimes blurred. “I do not know who it is”said this lady. “Me neither, said another man. Must be an MP or something, right?” When we tell him that it is Édouard Philippe, the man catches up: “ah yes okay, because of the beard [qu’il ne porte plus]I didn’t recognize him.”

The former Prime Minister assumes not to distinguish himself too much from Emmanuel Macron

For the rest, the welcome is warm but not effusive, between handshakes and selfies. Even if the former Prime Minister is sometimes seen as still very, even too close to Emmanuel Macron. “He’s the heir. Seeing him there, it’s not surprising, it’s normal”, according to a visitor to the Show. And yet, with small touches, Édouard Philippe tries to cultivate his difference. Too discreetly for Jacques, who came from Charente-Maritime: “He needs to show his true personality, says the one who could let himself be tempted by Marine Le Pen. I think that compared to what he did at Le Havre town hall, he can show something different and have clear positions on current cases.”

For his part, Édouard Philippe assumes that there is no question of distinguishing himself too violently from the head of state. “I try to comment little on political life and I will continue to comment little on political life. I am not lecturing anyoneassures the former Prime Minister. I know it’s hard, but let me just say what I think.” On the subject of floor prices for farmers proposed by Emmanuel Macron, for example, the mayor of Le Havre spared the president, saying “want to wait for more details”.