EELV was allied in many towns with the Socialist Party, but the balance of power has shifted in favour of the environmentalists. Had Mr Philippe lost, it was clear he would be sacked by Mr Macron. Now the biggest question in French politics is whether Mr Macron will keep Mr Philippe in office in an upcoming cabinet reshuffle. ‘Republican front’After putting Mr Philippe on the front line in crises over pension reform and coronavirus, Mr Macron appears eager to reassert his authority. Opinion polls show Mr Philippe “won his stripes as a statesman” during the epidemic, said Frédéric Dabi of the Ifop polling institute.

Source: The Irish Times June 28, 2020 20:26 UTC