“He is courageous”: successful seduction operation for Michel Barnier with mayors

“Who are you online with?” », asks Michel Barnier. “The principal of the school,” replies the woman in front of him, telephone in her ear. “Say hello to him for me,” retorts the Prime Minister, always serious and straight but showing, as sometimes, a slight smile. On this last day of the Congress of Mayors of France, at the Parc-Expo Porte de Versailles, the tenant of Matignon knows that he is expected around the corner at a time when local elected officials want to be reassured on the budgetary question.

“Be wary of politicians who promise you rain and good weather”

So before specifying to them, in plenary in the afternoon, the efforts that his government intends to ask of them for 2025, Michel Barnier made a point of attending the buffet traditionally offered by La Poste to local elected officials, strolling among them and lending himself to good thanks to selfies. It is also a first for a head of government to participate at this time, we assure the Association of Mayors of France. In these times of budgetary storm, the Savoyard wants to show proximity to the local level, which he knows well. Quite simply a storm since on this Thursday, large flakes fell on the capital. A little earlier, the president of the AMF, David Lisnard, also gave a nod to his origins: “We have set up mountain weather so that he feels comfortable”. Response from Michel Barnier: no need for snow to feel at home, here with elected officials, “be wary of politicians who promise you rain and good weather”. A witticism that makes the room laugh and elicits applause.

“I wish it lasted the longest”

Because overall, the elected officials present remain benevolent towards him for the moment. “What I want is for the Prime Minister to last the longest,” confides this mayor who came with a delegation from Saône-et-Loire. “He is a rural elected official and he will not touch the little ones,” he believes, even if he finds it normal that everyone makes an effort during this period, including his municipality.

Same view of the man for Michel Collorec, deputy mayor of Audierne in charge of the work and one of the rare Bretons present. “He is courageous. He is not a candidate in 2027, that shows. He wants to work,” confides the Finisterian, also ready to make an effort even if it is not with joy of heart. “We can do better but it must be shared by everyone. » In the meantime, “we see that he is from the field and he has experience”. Contract so far fulfilled for Michel Barnier. But until when?