Jacques Serais
modified to
2:53 p.m., February 15, 2022
This Tuesday, the Élysée Palace hosted the traditional Council of Ministers. Among the major topics of the moment, the tensions between France and Russia of course, but the spirits remain concerned by the imminent announcement of the candidacy of Emmanuel Macron to his own succession to the presidency of the Republic. Now it’s only a matter of days.
Emmanuel Macron had conditioned the announcement of his candidacy on an improvement on the front of the epidemic and a drop in international tensions. It is clear that today these two parameters no longer justify the reserve of the Head of State. The Kremlin confirmed this Tuesday morning the start of a withdrawal of Russian forces stationed near the borders of Ukraine. Moscow, however, evokes a “normal process” and denounces Western “hysteria” over a supposed imminent invasion of this country. Still, it smells of de-escalation. Good news for Emmanuel Macron who made the trip to Moscow on Monday February 7 to weigh in the balance.
At the same time, the coronavirus epidemic in France is on the decline and the last constraints will be lifted.
“A Matter of Days”
In the entourage of Emmanuel Macron, many are those who are smiling today at the start of the week. “It’s only a matter of days,” we slip in the halls of the Palace about the announcement of the candidacy. So when and where will Emmanuel Macron declare himself? Those close to the president persist in maintaining the mystery around this candidacy which is no longer in doubt.
According to information from the political service of Europe 1, it is unlikely that the head of state will declare himself this week. He has an important meeting on Thursday and Friday in Brussels, namely the European Union – African Union summit where France’s new strategy in the Sahel should be clarified. On the other hand, just after this summit, from Saturday, the tenant of the Élysée will have all the luxury of choosing his moment to get out of the woods.
“At 80%, the week of February 21”
At the Palace, many are betting on next week. “At 80% it declares itself the week of February 21”, predicts a heavyweight from Macronie. The week of February 21, a special week for Emmanuel Macron since it will end with his presence on Saturday February 26 at the International Agricultural Show at Porte de Versailles in Paris. The president could also declare himself during his wanderings at this event. This hypothesis is not ruled out at all according to an adviser.