“Wasn’t it already official?” smiles a young dad, baby slung over his shoulder, before getting on a bus. In the streets of Le Havre, the city he took over in 2020, no one is really surprised by the official announcement of Édouard Philippe’s presidential ambitions in Le Point on Tuesday evening. Ultimately, it’s more the timing of this announcement that raises questions. “It’s a bit strange at a time when everyone is wondering who will become Prime Minister…”, underlines another Édouard, summing up a general feeling.
For the young computer science student, who admits to being rather left-wing, it’s even a little too early. “This election is still a long way off. He risks running out of steam. And a lot of things can happen between now and then.” A supporter of the Havre Athletic Club football club, he nevertheless admits to having sympathy for a mayor “who knows his city and who generally gives a good image of it to the outside world. And then, we see him at the stadium. So, he might not have time to come as often.”
“Will he still be paying attention to what’s going on here?”
Sitting in front of a coffee on the terrace of Monsieur Auguste, a nearby brasserie, Michel had not yet had the information. “It’s good that he’s not making the suspense last. Everyone knew he wanted to go. What bothers me is that he’s likely to be quite busy in the coming months. Will he still be attentive to what’s happening here? Afterwards, if he’s elected, it will surely be positive for us.”
On the wide boulevard of Strasbourg, Nadia is getting ready to get on her electric scooter, a popular means of transport for locals on this rather sunny day. “Yes, I saw it on social media. He has experience, that’s pretty good. Afterwards, I don’t really feel concerned. Him or someone else, I don’t feel like it changes much.” For the people of Le Havre? “No, for everyone…”
