France’s first lady invited her two predecessors to lunch at the Élysée Palace so that they could see old faces and admire the new decoration. At least that was the official version.
In practice, Brigitte Macron’s invitation to Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and Valérie Trierweiler to yesterday’s meeting was a political message. It underlined her husband’s growing fondness for Nicolas Sarkozy, the centre-right leader who was president between 2007 and 2012. And it amplified President Macron’s dislike of François Hollande, the Socialist former president who was once his political mentor. To court centre-right voters, Mr Macron has been trying to woo Mr Sarkozy. The lunch served his cause by illustrating the cordial relations between the two couples.
Mr Sarkozy was invited to the Élysée twice last year, once to discuss the yellow-vest revolt. Mr Macron is understood to have asked for advice before announcing €10 billion of tax cuts and welfare rises in an attempt to curb the anger. Mr Macron has let it be known that he respects Mr Sarkozy’s judgment — while suggesting he has not the slightest regard for Mr Hollande. The two were once close — Mr Macron was Mr Hollande’s economy minister. Since becoming president Mr Macron has had nothing to do with Mr Hollande.
Ms Trierweiler was Mr Hollande’s partner when he won the presidency but they acrimoniously separated in 2014, when she learnt that he was having an affair with Julie Gayet, the actress.
Ms Gayet was not invited, never having moved into the palace or assumed the first lady role. Mr Hollande is said to be aghast at Mr Macron’s refusal to invite him to the Élysée.
Mr Macron, elected on a centrist platform, has concluded that there is no point in courting the socialists, who are irrelevant. He needs to lure moderates from the opposition centre-right Republicans, still a potent force.
He has stepped up his efforts recently, going so far as to hold talks with Laurent Wauquiez, the party leader.
Officials played down the political side of Mrs Macron’s invitation. They said she wanted to allow her predecessors to renew relations with cooks, waiters and butlers. They also had a chance to admire the €500,000 renovation of the Élysée’s salons that was completed last week on Mrs Macron’s orders. Aides pointed out that in 2017, Mrs Macron had invited Jacques Chirac’s wife, Bernadette.
Red scarves face yellow vests
Supporters of President Macron are planning to counter the gilets jaunes with a rally in the name of law and order.
The “red scarves” plan to march in Paris after a yellow-vest protest on Sunday. The group first said the event was an expression of support for Mr Macron but now say it represents a silent majority of French people who are against the road blocks and violence.
Mr Macron’s party, La République en Marche, initially welcomed the event but has reversed this amid speculation that it will flop. Officials fear that yellow vests will outnumber red scarves, attracting more bad publicity for Mr Macron.
Ministers have been asked to stay away but senior party figures said that they would join in. François Patriat, a La République en Marche senator, said: “We have to say, ‘That’s enough’. I hope there will be 100,000 of us.” Stanislas Guerini, the party chairman, said: “La République en Marche is not calling for a demonstration.”
Dining and Cooking