The former French Minister of Agriculture, Didier Guillaume, who in September became Monaco's Minister of State responsible for leading the principality's government, died on Friday of a “disastrous illness”, the Principality announced.
“His Serene Highness the Sovereign Prince has the immense sadness to announce the death of Mr. Didier Guillaume, Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco, following a devastating illness which occurred during his hospitalization,” indicated a press release from the cabinet of Prince Albert of Monaco, without specifying the place of death of the former socialist senator.
On January 10, the Prince's Palace announced that Didier Guillaume would “have to undergo treatment requiring scheduled hospitalization, which will not allow him to exercise his functions as Minister of State during the coming weeks.”
A day of national mourning has been declared on January 23, the day of the funeral of the former Minister of State, which will be celebrated in Monaco Cathedral at 11:00 a.m., the Prince's Palace said on Friday evening.
President Emmanuel Macron praised the memory of this “elected official rooted in Drôme, humanist in the Republic”. “His commitment to others was like him, vibrant, warm, complete. From Bourg-de-Péage to Monaco. I think of his family. I am losing a friend,” he wrote on X.
“Didier Guillaume (…) was a solid and generous man. A humanist in the full sense of the term. To him and his family our gratitude and affection,” reacted Prime Minister François Bayrou on X.
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 group socialist in the Senate.
-Specializing in agricultural issues, this former loyalist of François Hollande then of Manuel Valls had finally accessed a government portfolio under Emmanuel Macron, being responsible for Agriculture 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 praised the “human qualities” and “remarkable commitment” of Didier Guillaume “to 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 edge of the Mediterranean.
Traditionally seconded by France, the minister of state is appointed by the prince, whom he represents.
