The princely palace of Monaco and the government of the principality announced in a press release on Friday January 17 the death at the age of 65 of Didier Guillaume, current Minister of State of Monaco and former French Minister of Agriculture. .
“The sovereign prince has the immense sadness to announce the death of (…) Didier Guillaume, Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco, following a devastating illness which occurred during his hospitalization »wrote Prince Albert II, who had appointed Didier Guillaume to his post as head of government in September 2024. His scheduled hospitalization was made public on January 10.
On January 10, the princely palace announced that Didier Guillaume would “having to undergo treatment requiring scheduled hospitalization, which will not allow him to exercise his functions as Minister of State during the coming weeks”.
President Emmanuel Macron praised the memory of this “elected representative rooted in Drôme, humanist in the Republic”. “His commitment to others was like him, vibrant, warm, whole. From Bourg-de-Péage to Monaco. I think of his family. I lost a friend »he wrote on the social network
« Didier Guillaume (…) was a strong and generous man. A humanist in the full sense of the word. To him and his family our gratitude and affection”reacted on the social network X the Prime Minister, François Bayrou.
Aged 65, this Drômois had accumulated mandates in his department: mayor of Bourg-de-Péage (1995-2004), president of the general council of Drôme (2004-2015) then senator (2008-2018).
-“Deeply saddened to learn of the death of Didier Guillaume (…). Let us have a fraternal thought in memory of his action in the service of our ideals”reacted Senator Patrick Kanner, who succeeded Didier Guillaume at the head of the socialist group in the Senate.
“Remarkable commitment”
Specializing in agricultural issues, this former loyalist of François Hollande, then of Manuel Valls, finally occupied Rue de Varenne under the second government of Edouard Philippe, from 2018 to 2020.
Previously, this Rugby enthusiast had been approached to head the organizing committee for the 2023 World Cup. He had given up, the function being essentially honorary. After leaving the government in July 2020, he became a member of the National Rugby League and advisor to the president on public affairs.
In his press release, Prince Albert II of Monaco greets the “human qualities” et “remarkable commitment” by Didier Guillaume “at the service of the Principality upon taking office on September 2, 2024”. Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, minister of external relations of the principality, is in charge of the interim head of the Monegasque government, specifies the press release.
The Monegasque government, not resulting from the ballot box, presents draft laws to the prince and ensures the administration of the Principality located on the Mediterranean coast. Traditionally seconded by France, the minister of state is appointed by the prince, whom he represents.
