Without concealing an epidemic of coronavirus which generates things "difficult to hear" and complicates life a little, the oldest mayor of France - who celebrates his 98 spring on Saturday - is above all "impatient" to do battle in the 2nd round of municipal.
With forced confinement in his village of Saint-Seurin-sur-l'Isle (Gironde), Marcel Berthomé lost his bearings: this mayor's armchair which he has occupied for almost 50 years, his desk covered with photos of generals and memories of war and contacts with his constituents, which he has always been fond of.
No laptop, no computer
"Meeting people is a bit of the meaning of my life and my career, I always liked that," said the elected official, when asked on the phone. "There I am in my library. But I still have a lot of companions there, from all ages, ”slips this fan of history and military things, speaking of his books.
Healthy for his old age, Marcel Berthomé, confined with his wife, offers himself rare outings, for medical reasons in particular, and telecommuting thanks to the fixed telephone, because he does not have a laptop or computer for that matter .
"A special climate"
"I ensure compliance with health guidelines, staff management, the census of the elderly," he said, also ensuring that he keeps "a watchful eye" on the Ehpad of the town.
The elected official readily admits “a particular climate”, “striking” mortality figures, but this veteran of the Second World War, from Indochina and Algeria claims to have known more difficult periods: “wars”, “fighting to death ". "We do what we can so that the confinement is not unbearable but we have seen others!" ", He slips.
"I hope to pass this 2nd round happily!" "
It has been almost 50 years that he has managed this village of more than 3,000 inhabitants located east of Bordeaux, which he prides himself on having transformed into a small, over-equipped city. But on March 15, when he coveted a tenth term, a thunderclap: he was put on the ballot.
"It may be my age, they say I have to rest. Or people thought that I would be elected anyway…, explains Marcel Berthomé. But I'm not going to stop there, I want to go to the end. I hope to happily cross this 2nd round! "
"At 98, I am as fierce as when I was 30," warns this former member of Free France, who left to fight in England before his 20 years and who promises to be "firmer" and "more aggressive" . As soon as the coronavirus wants it.
Municipal
Municipales 2020 in Gironde: "My experience can be useful in meeting the new challenges that arise", considers the dean of the mayors of France
Politics
VIDEO. Municipales 2020: "Reunion is French evil", at 97, the dean of mayors judges the changes in the function
- Aquitaine
- Municipal
- Bordeaux
- Containment
- Covid 19
- Coronavirus
- Society