Fifty-four years after the death of General de Gaulle, on November 9, 1970, his great-nephew Laurent de Gaulle and Julien Miro, elected official from Castelnau-le-Lez (Hérault), return in a column at Midi Libre on his political legacy , believing “that it still embodies a flamboyant landmark”.
A tutelary figure who spans the ages and eras, General de Gaulle embodies a flamboyant landmark in collective memory. He taught us that after periods of strong storms comes the time when national unity can be restored and everything can be rebuilt provided we show character when the boat rocks.
As we celebrate the 54th anniversary of his death, the physical bond that united the General to the French has not ended and does not seem to be about to end.
The sources of this attachment are multiple. The historical figure and in particular that of June 18, 1940 is the basis of the admiration of the French. The one who stands up, who says no, who makes the people proud and who puts France back on the winning side. The liberator remains the cornerstone of this unique relationship.
Unique also in the relationship of a people with a soldier. “Why do you want me to start a career as a dictator at 67?” Charles de Gaulle exclaimed, on May 19, 1958, in front of 500 journalists at the Palais d'Orsay in Paris. Far from the permanent coup d'état imagined by some, General de Gaulle gave the people a voice, directly, five times during different referendums, the last of which was fatal to him.
René Coty: “Caught up in history, he himself became History”
As historian Michel Winock points out, “no matter how hard we align all his merits, verify all his claims to fame: they are not enough to explain in depth this kind of spontaneous confidence that the majority of French people offer him.” except to consider that he is an eminent member of the France family for all French people whatever their generation. Memories anchored in the minds of some or old photos and videos viewed for others.
Today, still far from political divisions, everywhere in the world, Charles de Gaulle is France. And as former President René Coty wrote “caught up in history, he himself became history”.
Georges Pompidou: “France is a widow”
On November 10, 1970, it was President Georges Pompidou himself who announced the news on the 1 p.m. television news: “General de Gaulle is dead. France is a widow.” Sort of “The king is dead” without “long live the king” because Gaullism has never been and will never be looking for a successor. As Alain Peyrefitte wrote, “To be a Gaullist is to be left and right at the same time”. Far from being able and wanting to be incarnated by a Man, he now traces a direction. That of freedom and pride guiding the people. That of intact respect and eternal gratitude. That of a De Gaulle as “compass”.
Julien Miro, right-wing elected official from Castelnau-le-Lez and the Montpellier Metropolis; Laurent de Gaulle, great-nephew of General de Gaulle, author of “A life under the gaze of God: The faith of General de Gaulle”, (L'Oeuvre Editions)
France
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