PARIS. The unrest in the Elysee Palace is caused by the manifested political ambitions of the popular finance minister, Brino Le Mer. In recent weeks, the minister has blatantly ignored the political orders of his political boss, Prime Minister Elisabeth Bourne, by choosing to publicly advocate state financial support for bakers. During the press conference, Mr. President Macron commented on Le Maire’s efforts to help the specific professional sector reduce their energy costs. “I called the hotline number set by the Ministry of Finance and it is not working. I’m tired of all these numbers,” Macron said to the bakers’ representatives at the presidential palace, according to Politico magazine.

The French President was annoyed by Le Maire’s initiative to promise measures to support the baking industry before Macron himself could do it. Cabinet members have often faced the president’s displeasure, but this is the first time Macron has “devastated” a minister in front of the cameras.

“In politics, you have to put your ego aside. Our compatriots are indifferent to interpersonal difficulties,” Macron said after a dispute with Le Maire. However, the conflict occupied French political circles. This isn’t the first time Le Maire has angered the president and the “presidential faction” who claim the finance minister is systematically ignoring the prime minister’s office by creating personal networks of influence.

“Brino Le Maire has never given up on the idea of ​​becoming president. He is a loyal minister, but considers himself equal to Macron in the hierarchy,” said a government adviser.

The popular finance minister has reportedly set his sights on the 2027 election.

A graduate of the National School of Public Administration, Le Maire has spent his life in the corridors of power, holding important positions such as the Ministry of European Affairs. A German scholar and friend of the writer Michel Houellebecq, Le Maire writes novels in his spare time. It is rumored that during his student years he published a romance novel under the pseudonym “Duke William”.

Polls show Le Maire is among the most popular ministers, and his popularity has been boosted by generous handouts to businesses and consumers during the pandemic. “He is playing the card of voters’ confidence and is subtly trying to make his voice heard by distancing himself from Macron’s hard line on finally ending aid packages,” says Jean-Daniel Levy of the polling firm Harris.

However, those who argue that the finance minister lacks a charismatic personality recall his humiliating defeat in the center-right primary in 2016, when he received just 2.4% of the vote.