A question that cooled the studio. A few days after the release of his new book, Clear prints and lines, co-written with Gilles Boyer published by JCLattès editions, Edouard Philippe continues to tour the sets to promote it. On Wednesday April 28, 2021, the one who gave way to Jean Castex was the guest of Thomas Sotto in RTL Evening. A friendly but very studious moment for the mayor of Le Havre who is now working on his first series on television. However, Edith Chabre’s husband was not there to talk about the seventh art. Asked about his affinities with the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and his voting intentions, the latter was surprised by an even more intrusive question. To avoid any discomfort, Edouard Philippe preferred not to answer it.
“There, you see, we are falling into a trap!”
Asked about his “political label”, Edouard Philippe preferred to proclaim himself a member of the Havre !, a party reserved for members of the local municipal majority. Faced with this (pretty) pirouette of the former Prime Minister, Thomas Sotto passes the second: “Well, we will help you to see clearly, we will do a ‘Who votes for whom’ to see clearly”, he blurted out, causing a “no no” iinstinctive of his guest. “Let’s imagine next year, Macron facing Xavier Bertrand, what is your camp?” A question that did not really please Edouard Philippe: “Wait … There, you see, we are falling into a trap! And it’s curious because until now, we have dealt with the subjects from above”, he replied, annoyed. Thomas Sotto retorts: “It’s easy not to answer a question”.
Far from giving in to the remarks of the journalist of RTL, Edouard Philippe explains: “No, I accept the fact that I do not want to answer questions when I think that they do not treat the subjects as they should be treated”, he balanced to Thomas Sotto, adding: “It is not at all a criticism that I am making you, you know the esteem that I carry you”. Attempting to stroke his guest the wrong way, the radio host and presenter of It’s your turn to speak sure France 2 reformulates: “What are your differences with Xavier Bertrand? That is a real question!” What Edouard Philippe readily answered: “I have known him for a long time. (…) We had common fights. We have a certain esteem”. This is better.
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