"French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin Makes Bold Bid for Presidency, Targeting Working Class Voters and Stirring Speculation for 2027 Election

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin made his debut rally on Sunday, targeting working class voters and sparking speculation about his potential bid to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 election. The constitution prohibits Macron from running for a third term, leading potential candidates such as Darmanin, former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire to position themselves for the upcoming ballot. Darmanin, a strong-minded former conservative, who has the responsibility of maintaining order in a country often besieged by protests, has made his aspirations for the next presidential election increasingly evident.

To demonstrate his commitment to working class voters, Darmanin gathered around 100 lawmakers and a dozen cabinet colleagues in his constituency of Tourcoing, a town in the northern rust belt of France. Darmanin, who is of Algerian descent and son of a former cleaner, aims to address the concerns of working class voters who feel disregarded and neglected. He believes that if the government fails to address their grievances, far-right leader Marine Le Pen could seize power in 2027. In his rally speech, Darmanin emphasized the need for politicians to listen and understand the frustrations of the working class.

\While Darmanin did not officially announce his candidacy, his actions have unsettled some members of Macron's circle. Macron's former top political adviser, Stephane Sejourne, stressed the importance of ideas over personal ambitions, suggesting that it is premature to discuss Macron's successor. However, far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon declared that the post-Macron era has commenced in Tourcoing. The head of the conservative Les Republicains party, Eric Ciotti, called for dignity, urging politicians to prioritize governing before considering succession. Macron himself has yet to endorse a preferred successor.

Philippe, currently serving as the mayor of Le Havre, remains one of France's most popular politicians and has not denied his presidential ambitions. As Macron seeks allies to pass bills in parliament after losing his majority last year, he has enlisted Darmanin's help in securing the necessary votes to push through a long-awaited bill on illegal immigration. The president has also invited leaders of French political parties to discuss the upcoming legislative agenda, further fueling speculation about future political dynamics in the country.