No mention of a declaration of candidacy for the presidential election: Emmanuel Macron “will speak in a speech at 8 p.m., devoted to the war in Ukraine”, announced the Elysée on Wednesday morning. Thursday, February 24, at the launch of the Russian invasion, the Head of State “had made a commitment to keep the French informed of the evolution of the situation”, adds the presidency, without further comment.
However, on the presidential side, time is running out: the outgoing president has until 6 p.m. Friday to transmit to the Constitutional Council his 500 sponsorships – he has three times more in reality -, his declaration of assets, his declaration of activities and interests as well as a letter in which he declares his consent to compete.
The countdown has therefore begun for Emmanuel Macron who, monopolized by the Ukrainian crisis, has still not found the time to formalize his declaration of candidacy. “Right now, you shouldn’t talk to him about the campaign“, testifies a relative. “Those who overwhelm him with messages would be inspired to leave him alone“, slips a minister, mocking those who are surprised not to receive an answer.
So, will Emmanuel Macron find time for an expression before the deadline or will he wait until Friday evening to invite himself to an 8 p.m. newspaper? “Everything is possible“, says a source within the executive who, a week ago, nevertheless estimated that the president would like to declare himself before the French before confirming with the Elders.
Neither the date nor the form (TV, regional press, flash travel, etc.) have therefore been fixed. And above all, no one sees how this will be possible: Tuesday March 1, it was again Jean Castex who replaced him for a trip to Seine-Saint-Denis, for the signing of the first youth employment contracts.
On the other hand, it is in 15 days that, according to information from franceinfo, the security bill will be presented, which plans to increase the Interior budget by 15 billion euros in five years, to improve the daily safety of French people. This text cannot be debated before the presidential election. A seed sown in September by candidate Macron for his second term.