Édouard Philippe's presidential campaign stalls as Macron dominates TV agenda

President Emmanuel Macron took to television on Thursday to discuss international affairs, which led to former prime minister Édouard Philippe postponing the presentation of his pension reform and his appearance on the France 2 program "L’Heure de vérité". Philippe, running under the Horizons banner, had just completed a campaign stop in Anjou where he outlined a climate-security initiative. A summit convened by the Élysée with all presidential candidates further disrupted his timetable.

The government plans to reveal additional assistance measures on Tuesday. Philippe remains determined to position himself as the sole representative of the right and centre against rivals Gabriel Attal and Bruno Retailleau, while his campaign headquarters on avenue d’Iéna sees a surge in meetings.