Thread by @Mij_Europe

Lots of buzz in Paris/Fr today as @EPhilippe_LH publishes his book on his experiences as PM between May 17 & July 20 under @EmmanuelMacron. Lots already trailed in Fr press & Philippe has been teasingly non-committal about his Pres ambitions. People in Macron land are worried 1/6

Some close to Macron think Philippe may emerge as a rival (despite a gentleman's understanding between the two he won't compete with his former boss). Others think he's being coy to help Macron - subtracting attention from recently launched campaign of @xavierbertrand 2/6

I think Philippe will only run in very specific circumstances (one eg, he could emerge as the figurehead of a “dump Macron” move by establishment worried Le Pen will take second round) 3/6

.@MichelBarnier is another centre right contender who is soon to release his own book (on Brexit). Should be juicy. But with so much time outside Fr, he has a relatively low profile & limited domestic support. Truth is neither he nor Philippe is likely to be next Fr President 4/6

J Chirac set up the predecessor to @lesRepublicains 2 decades ago to unite centre & right of Fr politics. But it remains a snake pit in a very sorry mess indeed. Shrunk by high-profile defections, colonised by emergence of Macron & advance of @MLP_officiel 5/6

4 years on from revolution of @enmarchefr, @lesRepublicains still have no credible leader, or even a party apparatus. Just a long list of names (at least 6 already) vying to be party's official candidate - & no accepted method for how to narrow the field. Chaos
ENDS