Michel Barnier thanks Gabriel Attal for having shared his “teachings” at Matignon “even if they only lasted eight months”
It is the first time he has spoken since his appointment was announced in Matignon in the early afternoon. The new prime minister, Michel Barnier, 73, a republican, former minister and European commissioner, spoke after his predecessor, Gabriel Attal, who was warmly applauded by his team.
“Can I say a few words?”He said, by way of introduction, cutting off the applause. He then listed several moments in Mr. Attal’s speech in which he said he had ” beloved “ – from greeting his teams to paying tribute to his mother. I really liked the way you gave me lessons, well, the lessons, even if they only lasted eight months, that you learn when you are Prime Minister.”He went on to address his predecessor, in order to better underline his short stay at Matignon.
Then he spoke of the advice he never forgot, that his mother, “left-wing Christian woman”gave him, when he was a young Gaullist activist during his “first electoral meeting” : “Never be sectarian, sectarianism is a sign of weakness. When you are sectarian it is because you are not sure of your ideas.”
Before thanking his predecessor for his words ” WHO [l]‘encourage, it’s important’said, “taking into account what [M. Attal a] for several years within the government and in recent months here, at the head of the government.
