Baron Noir

Philippe Rickwaert celebrates the end of his ineligibility with an ambitious plan: to revive the Socialist Party from its ashes in order to run for president and disrupt the three-way race between President Amélie Dorendeu, Vidal's "left-wing populism," and Chalon's far right. Immediately, the blows rain down, but Philippe must above all face a questioning that touches the heart of his political identity...

Too hampered by the moribund state of the PS, Philippe joined Michel Vidal's Debout le Peuple (Stand Up, People) party. This is actually an old tactic: entryism. With regional elections looming in Hauts-de-France, Philippe sees a golden opportunity to apply his strategy of uniting the left against Vidal's will. Philippe pulls the strings in all camps. But Vidal is not fooled by his double game.

Rejected by Véro, who remains loyal to Vidal, Philippe is unable to implement his strategy of entryism. During a trip to Spain, Vidal alternates between humiliation and seduction to recruit him and make him give up his ambitions for the Élysée. Amélie fails in her attempt to set up a Green New Deal with Germany due to revelations about the chancellor's personal life.

Amélie surprises everyone by announcing a referendum aimed at modernizing the institutions of the Fifth Republic. Disappointed by Vidal's decision to vote No, Philippe declares war on him by positioning himself in favor of Yes and calls for an internal vote to settle the controversy, and above all to build his faction. Vidal proposes that the vote take place after a debate between the two men, a veritable duel tailored to his advantage.

The predicted defeat of the Yes vote poses a serious threat to Philippe, who risks having to bury his political ambitions for good. But the surprise emergence of an abstentionist on the scene muddies the campaign waters. Philippe starts to believe again, even if it means playing with fire.

After calling for unity among the left following violent clashes at polling stations, Philippe hits the road to convince people that he can bring them together. While Amélie has clearly given up on running again, Philippe is determined to unite the left during his political marriage, but Vidal refuses to give in to blackmail, preferring to flirt with the anti-establishment Mercier.

Although Philippe has withdrawn from the presidential race, he has not given up and expects to be appointed Prime Minister by Amélie. His entourage is concerned about his mental health, as this scenario seems highly unlikely. But just as victory seems assured for the outgoing president, a butterfly flapping its wings on the other side of the Rhine will cause a political tsunami that will reshuffle the deck.

The unprecedented cancellation of the presidential election by the Constitutional Council causes an unprecedented explosion. The organization of new elections in a very short time frame pushes Philippe to run. But Mercier has managed to win over a large majority, to the point of bringing together apparent opposites. One after another, the barriers fall in record time, until the last one is threatened: democracy.