“Dirty guys”: Macron’s anger against close collaborators

Tensions within the Élysée have intensified in recent months, and Emmanuel Macron has not hidden his irritation towards some of his closest advisors. The departure of Gabriel Attal from Matignon, just six months after his appointment, seems to have been the catalyst for this presidential anger.

Last July, when he left his post as Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal showed no signs of regret. On the contrary, he boasted of having “saved the Republic” after his time at Matignon. This personal triumph, claimed in front of the cameras, only exacerbated the annoyance of Emmanuel Macron, who saw in Attal an emancipation from his supervision. According to sources close to the Élysée, the president described the situation as a “disastrous spectacle”, refusing even to meet the gaze of the man who was nicknamed “baby Macron”.

The tensions were not limited to Gabriel Attal. Emmanuel Macron also expressed his frustration with several other collaborators, particularly after the announcement of the dissolution of the National Assembly. Some advisors, considered too pessimistic, suffered the wrath of the president. Bruno Roger-Petit, communications advisor to the Élysée, was particularly in the crosshairs of the head of state. He was reportedly accused of being too talkative, a criticism that almost led to his ouster, according to a source close to the palace.

This tense situation is reminiscent of other moments of friction within the presidential team. In 2020, for example, Alexis Kohler, secretary general of the Élysée, scolded an advisor for taking the initiative to have a secret lunch with Marion Maréchal. These episodes illustrate the sometimes stormy relations at the top of the State, where loyalty and discretion are qualities highly valued by Emmanuel Macron.

Hector M.