don Monday morning, September 23, on the steps of the Beauvau hotel, Bruno Retailleau is realizing his lifelong dream. From the emphasis of his words and his body stretched out like a bow, one understands that he has been waiting a long time for this moment, the moment when he will finally put on the suit of Minister of the Interior, the first ministerial post of his long political career. He is listing his roadmap behind his desk. “First priority: restore order, second priority: restore order, third priority: restore order, because I see order as a condition of freedom. » Behind him, Gérald Darmanin, his former colleague from the Republicans (LR), pretends not to hear what sounds like a scathing accusation.
One must delve into the mysteries of local Vendée politics to find the first trace of Bruno Retailleau in HE World. On the occasion of the cantonal elections of 20 September 1988, Alain Rollat deciphers the major manoeuvres and small betrayals of the local right. In particular, he recounts the disillusionment of the mayor of Mortagne-sur-Sèvre, Gérard Brosset, angry with Philippe de Villiers, who had just pricked his right arm, a certain Bruno Retailleau, to convince him to stand against him.
“I was not naive when I saw Bruno Retailleau arrive in the area, full of Parisian diplomas and a native of the bocage, as he is from Saint-Malô-du-Bois, I said that of course I would take this young man as successor for the next cantonal renewal (…). But when, after the legislative elections, I saw Philippe and Bruno walking together through the canton, without telling me, I understood it and it was a great anguish. » In politics, ambition does not like to wait. And here is the young Retailleau who decides to entrust his future to the man who will become his mentor, Philippe de Villiers. He will not regret it.
Ultraconservative line
The rise was linear but initially underground, at least for the reader of the evening paper. Bruno Retailleau did not reappear until 29 November 1994, in a short article simply reporting his election as a deputy, following a by-election. Affected by the lack of an accumulation of mandates, Philippe de Villiers was forced to give up his seat. The world writing : “The student continues the tradition established by the master. Vice-president of the General Council of Vendée, deputy of Philippe de Villiers since 1998, Bruno Retailleau was easily elected in the first round. »
You have 66.02% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
