Macron's 'crocodiles' threaten to take a bite out of France's new PM

France's new prime minister is facing a plot to evict her from office organised by several male subordinates known as the 'crocodiles', according to local media.

The men in question, dubbed the 'four crocodiles' by a member of President Emmanuel Macron's inner circle, are said to be unimpressed by Ms Borne’s leftist credentials and reputation as a technocrat with little campaigning experience.

They include Francois Bayrou, the veteran centrist and head of the Democratic Movement (Modem Party), Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire and former PM Edouard Philippe.

“The times require that the prime minister be political” and not “technical,” Mr Bayrou, whose party forms part of Mr Macron's coalition, told France Inter radio of the new PM late last month.

Even more explicitly, he added the country needed “a strong government, with a prime minister who fulfills their jobs as head of government.”

Mr Bayrou’s comments, for which he was summoned to Ms Borne’s office the following day, came as she was preparing for a highly anticipated policy speech - her first since being appointed as PM in May - before the National Assembly in early July.

Ms Borne passed a crucial test when she delivered the speech last week to mostly positive feedback.

Still, for the so-called 'crocodiles', there is still a target on Ms Borne’s back.

Last month, Mr Philippe implied that Ms Borne should step down after the party lost its absolute majority in parliament. In an interview shortly after the elections, he suggested suggested the prime minister “fully accept the consequences of the results,” of the parliamentary elections adding he was open to the idea of “finding new people” to take control.

For Mr Le Maire and Mr Darmanin, meanwhile, their discontent for Ms Borne is more personal.

Last week, Politico revealed that Ms Borne had tried and failed to kick Mr Darmanin out of office as part of a government reshuffle.

Her relationship with Mr Le Maire - who has been economy minister since 2017 -  has reportedly been tense for years, with Ms Borne previously accusing him of overstepping his position by meddling into the affairs of other ministries.

All four men are expected to run for president in the 2027 elections.

While French media report that Ms Borne can count on their continued efforts to “make her life difficult,” others have come to her defense, calling the tension “counterproductive.”

“We cannot afford the luxury of division,” said centrist MP Sacha Houlié.

Clement Beaune, the newly appointed transport minister, also expressed support for Ms Borne after Mr Bayrou’s negative comments last month.

“The political profile,” needed, he argued, “is Ms Borne’s.”