Édouard Philippe

Édouard Philippe, born on 28 November 1970, is a prominent French politician and lawyer, currently serving as the mayor of Le Havre since 2020. His political journey began with the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), which later evolved into The Republicans (LR). Philippe's tenure as a member of the National Assembly from 2012 to 2017 saw him representing Seine-Maritime's 7th constituency.

Philippe's significant political ascent came when he was appointed Prime Minister of France on 15 May 2017 by President Emmanuel Macron. He led the centrist LREM–MoDem coalition during the 2017 French legislative election, achieving a substantial majority in the National Assembly. His government was marked by a series of reforms in labor law and taxation, aligning with Macron's pro-business agenda.

During his premiership, Philippe faced various challenges, including the yellow vests crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. He implemented a national lockdown starting on 17 March 2020, demonstrating decisive leadership during a critical time. After resigning on 3 July 2020, shortly after the municipal elections, he returned to local governance as mayor of Le Havre.

In 2021, Philippe founded the centre-right Horizons party, which later joined the governing Ensemble coalition for the 2022 legislative election. As of 3 September 2024, he has announced his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election, signaling his continued ambition in French politics.