Baron Noir

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.

Although Philippe has withdrawn from the presidential race, he has not given up and expects to be appointed Prime Minister by Amélie.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.