Tourcoing (AFP)

Minister Gérald Darmanin, head of the LREM list of municipalities in Tourcoing (North), reaffirmed Thursday that he was a candidate "to be mayor" of his city, while stressing that he would not say no if he was asked to " serve his country. "

"If I run for voters by being at the top of the list, it is to be mayor," said the Minister of Action and Public Accounts, presenting his electoral program at the rostrum of the municipal theater of Tourcoing.

In 2014, Mr. Darmanin tore the second northern city to the left, which he led until 2017. However, after taking office, he waited four months to leave his mayor's chair. He is currently the first deputy in his city.

"But I always said that a mayor was not a mayor and 40 cons. It is a municipal team, it is assistants who are there, present. (A mayor), it is someone one who is capable, by carrying the voice nationally, of advancing the territory, "he added.

"And I would be who, ladies and gentlemen, if when asked to serve my country, I answer + no, it's too complicated +, + no, it's too unpopular +, + no, there are people who will get angry +? "he asked his audience.

Mr. Darmanin paid tribute to his friend, the president of the Hauts-de-France region, Xavier Bertrand (ex-LR), who recently increased criticism of President Emmanuel Macron.

Relaunched by the press on the sidelines of his speech on the choice he would make between minister and mayor - according to the unwritten rule of non-cumulation between the two functions, reaffirmed recently by government spokesperson Sibeth Ndiaye Darmanin eluded: "I do not presume the choice of the voters and I do not presume either of the choice of the President of the Republic".

But what if Emmanuel Macron asks him to stay in government? "With yes, we would bottle Tourcoing," he joked.

"The President of the Republic will make his choice but I am a candidate to be mayor. I wish to be mayor of my city", said Gérald Darmanin without specifying the duration.

In Lille, said the minister, "I support Violette Spillebout", the macronist candidate, "but I respect Martine Aubry, who is a woman with whom we can work, with whom we can get along".

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