Edouard Philippe (born 28 November 1970) was Prime Minister of France from 15 May 2017 to 3 July 2020, succeeding Bernard Cazeneuve and preceding Jean Castex.
Biography[]
Edouard Philippe was born in Rouen, Normandy, France in 1970, and he was a supporter of Socialist Party of France member Michel Rocard's social democratic faction of the PS while he attended Sciences Po. Philippe left the PS after Rocard was deposed as leader, and he joined the Union for a Popular Movement. Philippe served in the regional council of Normandy from 2004 to 2008, as a general councillor from Le Havre from 2008 to 2012, Mayor of Le Havre from 2010, and a National Assembly member from 2012. Philippe belonged to the "moderate right" of the UMP/The Republicans party, and his status as a well-liked and experienced politician led to the centrist president Emmanuel Macron naming him as Prime Minister of France on 15 May 2017. Philippe managed a government that had cabinet members from all political parties, with most of its members being En Marche! or Democratic Movement of France members, and a few being Republican, Socialist Party, and Radical Party of the Left dissidents. He formed a second government on 21 May 2017 following a series of resignations and secured a vote of confidence on 4 July, and he supported expanded housing for refugees. He resigned on 4 July amid a cabinet reshuffle and returned to serving as Mayor of Le Havre.