Feb 26 • 19:04 UTC 🇫🇷 France Le Figaro

"I only talk about the municipal elections": in danger in Le Havre, Édouard Philippe "denationalizes" his campaign

Édouard Philippe is reshaping his campaign strategy for the municipal elections in Le Havre as he faces tough competition and is perceived as losing ground according to recent polls.

In the lead-up to the municipal elections in Le Havre, former French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe is strategically focusing solely on local issues in an effort to solidify his support. With recent polls indicating that he is trailing behind his Communist Party rival, Philippe's campaign is taking on a more localized tone, distancing itself from national political dialogues. His approach reflects a tactical shift, tailored to address the concerns and sentiments of the local electorate who feel strongly about municipal governance.

Jean-Paul Lecoq, the Communist Party candidate, is actively campaigning amidst a challenging political landscape marked by historical nostalgia among voters who feel that the earlier decades under communist leadership provided better governance. The sentiments expressed by sympathizers show a discontent with Philippe's tenure, focusing on local issues and calling for a change in leadership. The rival candidates' appearances demonstrate a commitment to retrace and appeal to the voters’ past experiences with socialist leadership in Le Havre.

As Philippe's strategy unfolds, the implications of this localized focus may affect his broader political ambitions, particularly as he gears up for a potential presidential bid in the future. The current election serves as a crucial barometer of his standing not only within Le Havre but also within the wider political landscape in France, suggesting that the upcoming municipal voting could hold significant weight for his career trajectory.

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