It’s a subject to which he devotes an entire section of his book. “I warned him of the consequences: at best, an ungovernable country; at worst, a majority for the National Rally,” he wrote.
Book tours are common practice in French politics, not so much to sell copies as to generate publicity and media appearances.
Attal has stopped short of directly attacking his rival, but interviews promoting his book have allowed him to underscore some key differences with Philippe.
On one particularly hot-button issue in France, pensions, Attal described Philippe’s policy proposal — increasing the minimum retirement age to 67 — as being “brutal” and said it would “lead to despair.” Macron’s 2023 move to increase the minimum from 62 to 64 was already widely rejected and led to mass strikes and millions protesting.
Meanwhile, Philippe’s supporters argue Attal’s book — which dives into his personal life, including his father’s death and his romantic relationship with European Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné — is short on policy specifics.
“It’s Gabriel, Gabriel, Gabriel — his life, his relationship, his father… (but) what are his values? What is his vision for France?” said one former government official backing Philippe.
Clea Caulcutt contributed to this report.