Gérald Darmanin Calls on Édouard Philippe to Run for President

Paris – 26.05.2026: Gérald Darmanin, the French Minister of Justice, has described Édouard Philippe, former Prime Minister and Mayor of Le Havre, as “best positioned” for the upcoming 2027 presidential election. In an interview with France 2, Darmanin emphasized the need for a united candidacy from the moderate camp to avoid divisions within the center and right. He said, “There needs to be a single candidate.”

Darmanin, who has expressed presidential ambitions himself, stressed that it is now up to Philippe to make his willingness to run clear. “He must show us his desire to become President of the Republic. I know him personally and know that he has this desire, but he must show it to the French,” Darmanin explained.

Philippe, who has been Mayor of Le Havre since 2010 and served as Prime Minister under President Emmanuel Macron from 2017 to 2020, has previously signaled his readiness to run for the 2027 presidential election. However, he has not yet made a formal announcement.

The political landscape for the 2027 election is currently characterized by uncertainty. In addition to Philippe, Gabriel Attal, former Minister of Education and current chairman of the Renaissance party, has officially declared his candidacy. Attal aims to distance himself from Macron’s legacy and establish his own political identity.

Darmanin himself has previously expressed his willingness to run. In an interview with “Le Parisien” in April 2025, he said: “The presidency, I am working on it.” However, he also emphasized the importance of a collective decision and advocated for a primary election within the moderate camp to determine a common candidate.

The discussions about candidacies for the 2027 presidential election reflect current tensions within the French political spectrum. While the moderate camp seeks a united candidate to consolidate the right, right-wing parties face the challenge of overcoming internal differences and developing a coherent strategy.

The coming months will be crucial to gain clarity on candidate nominations and political priorities for the 2027 election. The question of who will ultimately receive the support of the moderate camp and be able to appeal to a broad electorate remains open.

In the meantime, political debate in France will continue to be shaped by issues of national identity, economic policy, and social justice. The coming months will show which topics will dominate the agenda of the 2027 presidential election.