“His wife committed suicide”: Jean-Michel Aphatie moved by Robert Ménard, frank revelations on RTL

This Thursday, November 21, 2024, Jean-Michel Aphatie received Robert Ménard on RTL Matin.
In front of radio journalists, the politician was questioned about the tasting of Beaujolais Nouveau, the latest vintage of which was released the same day. But now the mayor of Béziers has revealed that he no longer drinks wine at all
“for personal reasons”. “You don't know what it's like to have an alcoholic in your family. I don't think you can imagine the devastation that this causes…”then says the politician, visibly very touched by this subject.

To which Jean-Michel Aphatie says: “I find what you say very touching and true. And I think that in this regard, we need to have a different awareness of things.”

Jean-Michel Aphatie upset by the testimony of Robert Ménard

Indeed, alcohol consumption is a subject treated differently compared to that of drugs, as Amandine Bégot, the columnist, recalls: “When we have a president like Emmanuel Macron who, every time, we want to touch on the slightest prevention campaign around alcohol intervenes…”.

Robert Ménard then reacted immediately: “At the beginning, I pretended to drink at home when I was elected (…) At one point, I said to myself: 'But shit, they (the inhabitants of Béziers) like me for what I am I am’. I don’t drink wine!”he clarified before Amandine Bégot cut him off: “Do you realize that you had to almost hide from not drinking socially? It’s still crazy!”

The politician reveals a dark family affair

And this clear opinion on the consumption of wine, Robert Ménard draws it from a terrible personal experience:
“But me, my brother, he ruined the life of my father, my mother, me… I fought with my brother, he was so drunk… His wife committed suicide… You know what it is 'is the drama? I don't think we can imagine…”he confided.

Upsetting but necessary confidences which will perhaps make it possible to completely change the vision that the French have of alcohol consumption, even minimal. On the RTL set, emotions were strong for the columnists but also the listeners.