The former Prime Minister and Mayor of Bordeaux will be at the Caumes des Livres bookstore this Friday June 28 to sign his latest work “A French History”.
Having withdrawn from political life since his appointment to the Constitutional Council in 2019, the former Prime Minister and emblematic mayor of Bordeaux delivers his memoirs in his latest work: “A French story” which he will present as a dedication to the Caumes des Livres bookseller, this Friday, June 28, from 4 p.m.
400 pages for 40 years of political life without resounding revelations or murderous formulas, far from current standards. Interview with the 78-year-old man, subject to the duty of confidentiality.
What does Millau mean to you?
Its former deputy mayor Jacques Godfrain, who no longer needs any introduction, with whom I fought many political battles, is for me a reference politician. Afterwards, I’m not going to be very original, but Millau is also its viaduct, which I had the chance to visit during its construction.
You have therefore come to present your latest work which resembles a memoir. Is this what it is?
This is my latest, I wanted to turn the page in 2019 after almost 20 years at the town hall of Bordeaux and my appointment to the Constitutional Council which obliges me to the duty of reserve even if I am itching to comment on the news. After my visit to Millau, the day after the first round of legislative elections, I imagine that the Constitutional Council will be the judge of a good number of disputes.
Do you miss the political arena?
Yes and no. For me, political commitment is something noble. Today, politics does not have a good reputation. If I talk about nobility, politics, when I was there, was never calm either. But there is now an additional level of hysterization in the debates. My book goes a little against the grain with a certain moderation.
Why this title, “A French story”?
First of all, it’s mine. I am starting my book from my Landes roots and it is a French story in the sense that it is the love of my political life.
Do you have the habit of writing?
I try to keep a logbook, modestly. I am working on a new work, to combat certain preconceived ideas such as declinism in the face of the many challenges that await us, to combat this ambient pessimism. There are reasons to hope and it is a duty.
You experienced and even suffered the dissolution of the National Assembly in 1997, how is it different from this month of June?
It’s not comparable. My government then had an absolute majority and the Hemicycle did not live in a sort of paralysis, which is not the case today. The common point is that we had not explained the reasons for this dissolution. France then had to take a new step for Europe.
If you look back, do you have any regrets?
I have experienced failures but also successes and I am aware of it in both cases. For example, when I was Prime Minister, although people say otherwise, I led a health insurance reform that had to be done.
In front of the National Assembly, I made the mistake of mentioning a modification of the special pension schemes which ignited the powder. On the contrary, I think my greatest pride is having transformed the city of Bordeaux with my team.
Do you still live there? Or is your life now in Paris?
I also turned the page and I live in Paris. Even if I enjoy coming back to this city that I love, I did not want to come across as the Commander’s statue.
