Jacques Berthelot, mayor of Brest (Finistère) between March 1983 and July 1985, died this Friday, June 28, 2024, at the age of 78. This mathematics graduate, professor at the Naval School, won the 1983 municipal elections against the outgoing team led by Pierre Maille (PS). To this day, he remains the last right-wing mayor elected in Brest.
But his term was short-lived, marred by internal quarrels within the Rally for the Republic (RPR) and the Union for French Democracy (UDF). Not very inclined to compromise, the mayor “could not unite his team over the long term”testifies Bernadette Malgorn, leader of the current Brest right.
On July 4, 1985, Jacques Berthelot announced his resignation “in the interest of the city, the people of Brest and the national opposition”, strongly encouraged by Jacques Chirac and other party executives.
“An elected official committed to his territory”
Jacques Berthelot was also regional advisor to the canton of Brest-Cavale-Blanche-Bohars-Guilers from 1985 to 1998, under President Charles Miossec. “He fervently defended the issues of higher education, research and innovation”adds Bernadette Malgorn, who greets a “Gaullist by conviction”.
Maël de Calan, president of the departmental council of Finistère, speaks of a “elected official committed to his territory and his convictions. On behalf of all the departmental councillors of Finistère, I would like to offer my condolences to his family and loved ones.” A minute of silence will be observed at the next plenary session.
