Alain Juppé: The star making a comeback in French politics.

(Baonghean) - Many might think Alain Juppé is a boring politician. In reality, the former French Prime Minister is leading the race for the presidency next year. He could block former President Nicolas Sarkozy's return to the Élysée Palace and force current President François Hollande into retirement.

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy will face off against Alain Juppé for the presidential nomination for next year's election. Photo: Telegraph.

An unprecedented comeback

One summer morning not long ago, Alain Juppé visited Roger André, the butcher in the town of Perpignan, to sample the pâté there. Each time he took a bite, Juppé couldn't hide his satisfaction and praised the butcher with nods of approval.

But what was remarkable was that the thermometer showed only 30 degrees Celsius, while the former French Prime Minister was wearing a dark suit and a neatly tied tie. He was accompanied by a team of expert advisors and local politicians, all impeccably dressed. They were on a trip to the Pyrénées-Orientales province, at the southernmost tip of France, bordering Spain. "Visiting the market" was on the itinerary for the day, even though the location was right next to a police station. Not many tourists frequented the market, and Juppé's delegation became the center of attention.

Was Alain Juppé's visit to a small market in a remote province an over-the-top media stunt? The answer is no. It was simply a sign of the former French Prime Minister's seriousness about his return to the country's most powerful position next year.

Alain Juppé is currently the Mayor of Bordeaux and a promising candidate for the Republican Party in the upcoming presidential election. In the November primary, the 70-year-old politician is eager to secure the party's nomination, something he has failed to achieve on several occasions. The circumstances seem to be on his side, after nearly half a century in politics.

Former President Jacques Chirac, Juppé's predecessor, will back him in the upcoming election campaign. Photo: france24.

"The best of us"

Roger André, the butcher, shook his head as Juppé and his delegation departed. “He won’t save us, and he won’t help either,” André remarked about his arrival. “He’s part of the old guard. What this country needs is for the younger generation to take the helm.” That was the feeling of an ordinary citizen before a politician who had held the highest positions.

Alain Juppé was elected prime minister and party president. He also headed the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Treasury, and Environment on several occasions. But there was one thing he never achieved: the absolute support of the public. A graduate of the best educational institutions in France, Alain Juppé was always considered exceptionally intelligent and surprisingly arrogant. His former mentor, former President Jacques Chirac, once called Juppé "the best of us."

However, despite his promising prospects in next year's election, Alain Juppé's weaknesses remain. Even though he led in national polls for months, Juppé is still seen as a man of the past. This is reminiscent of the difficulties France is facing in its renewal process, as well as the struggles of its elite. His rise to power is evident. Emerging in the late 1970s while working for former Prime Minister Jacques Chirac, Juppé first rose to ministerial positions in 1986 and then to prime minister in 1995. But in 1997, Juppé was forced to resign due to strong public opposition to his reforms. Since then, he has been considered one of the least popular prime ministers of the Fifth Republic.

Alain Juppé (second from the right) during his time as an aide to former President Jacques Chirac. Photo: Lepoint.

Advantages from campaign strategy

Juppé's approval ratings remain unfavorable. Fortunately for him, his rivals in the upcoming presidential election aren't much better. The incumbent president, François Hollande, is unlikely to be re-elected. Hollande even enjoys less support than his predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy, who was ousted in 2012. Neither Hollander nor Sarkozy can expect another confrontation. Both politicians believe public animosity toward the other is greater than their own. If such a showdown occurs, the biggest beneficiary would be Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Front party.

From a campaign standpoint, Alain Juppé has a significant advantage over Sarkozy in securing the Republican Party's nomination. Juppé's priorities are considered far more reasonable, focusing on long-standing issues the people want addressed. He wants a smaller government with lower spending. He wants the French work week extended from 35 to 39 hours, and the retirement age raised to 65 instead of 62. He also promises to reduce burdens on businesses by lowering non-salary costs.

In a recent interview about his plans for France if elected, Alain Juppé appeared to be a very professional candidate. He expressed his views calmly, in contrast to Sarkozy's fiery, passionate, and even aggressive style. “I want to restore confidence in France. People will once again be proud to be French,” Juppé said. Juppé mentioned three goals he would have to achieve if he were president: better education for young people, a stronger and more decisive government, especially on security issues, and finally, more jobs. What Juppé declared, though only on paper, has already created some hope among French voters, who are weary of the country's numerous problems.

Thanh Son