Gerald Darmanin urges Edouard Philippe to run for president

Paris – May 26, 2026: France’s Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin described former Prime Minister and Mayor of Le Havre Édouard Philippe as the “most promising candidate” in the upcoming 2027 presidential election. In an interview with France 2, Darmanin emphasized the need for a unified candidate from the moderate camp and stressed the importance of avoiding divisions within the center and right-wing groups, stating, “A single candidate is necessary.”

Darmanin, who has also expressed his intention to run for president, highlighted that Philippe should soon clearly declare his candidacy. “He should show the desire to become President of the Republic. I know him personally and know that he has this desire, but he must demonstrate it to the French people,” Darmanin explained.

Philippe, who has served as Mayor of Le Havre since 2010 and was Prime Minister under President Emmanuel Macron from 2017 to 2020, has previously indicated his willingness to run in the 2027 presidential election, though he has not yet made an official announcement.

The political situation for the 2027 election currently remains uncertain. Besides Philippe, former Minister of Education and current leader of the Renaissance party Gabriel Attal has officially declared his candidacy. Attal is distancing himself from Macron’s legacy and aiming to establish his own political identity.

Darmanin himself has also previously expressed his intention to run. In an interview with Le Parisien in April 2025, he stated that he was “working towards the presidency.” However, he also pointed to the importance of collective decisions within the moderate camp and expressed support for holding a primary election to decide on a unified candidate.

The debate over candidates for the 2027 presidential election reflects current tensions within the French political spectrum. While the moderates seek a unified candidate and aim to consolidate the right-wing camp, right-wing parties face the challenge of overcoming internal differences and building a coherent strategy.

The coming months will be crucial for clarifying candidate selections and political priorities for the 2027 election. The question of who will ultimately gain the support of moderates and appeal to a broad electorate remains unresolved.

Meanwhile, political discussions in France will continue to be shaped by national identity, economic policy, and social justice issues. The forthcoming months will indicate the key themes that will define the agenda for the 2027 presidential election.