French interior minister Bruno Retailleau has publicly turned on President Emmanuel Macron, attacking his party political ideology.
In an interview with Valeurs Actuelles published on July 22, Retailleau declared that “Macronism” was not an ideology at all but simply a personal vehicle for one man’s ambitions.
“Macronism will end with Emmanuel Macron,” he said.
“It’s neither a political movement nor an ideology.”
He argued that Macron’s political standpoint “feeds an impotence and will disappear after the president”.
Retailleau’s comments landed just weeks after he hinted he may not support the President’s centrist bloc, or his Prime Minister, if France was forced into another political shake-up this autumn.
“The situation is too uncertain,” he warned on July 18.
“The only commitment I have is to my convictions and to the interests of the Nation.”
In his interview on July 22, he clearly stated that he did not back the French leader.
“My presence in the government does not mean I support Macronism,” he said.
Following his comments, the backlash from Macron’s camp was swift.
On X, the President’s Renaissance party, now spearheaded by former prime minister Gabriel Attal, accused Retailleau of betraying the man who had appointed him.
“These statements are unacceptable for a minister serving in a coalition government under the President of the Republic,” read the official party response.
“Being in government under the President’s authority demands loyalty, not petty provocations or political posturing.”
Meanwhile, Les Républicains (LR) party drew parallels with Macron’s own betrayal of François Hollande, when he torpedoed the Socialist then-president from within his own Cabinet to launch his personal bid for power in 2017.
Former prime minister Élisabeth Borne, now trying to reinvent herself as education minister, was wheeled out to defend the cause.
“Macronism is an ideology and a party,” she insisted, warning that “dividing the common foundation only weakens the rampart against the extremes”.
France’s political centre has suffered major blows in recent months, with Macron’s approval sinking.
While Retailleau has not officially declared his candidacy for 2027, he has not ruled it out.
“I’ll be wherever I can best serve my country,” he said recently.
“In 2027, I’ll do everything I can to help the Right win.
“The best-placed of us should be our candidate. It’s possible because our ideas are now in the majority. And it’s necessary because France needs right-wing solutions.”
According to an Ipsos poll published on July 13 for La Tribune Dimanche, 36 per cent of French respondents named him as the most effective member of the government.
