Municipal: elected under René Coty, the oldest mayor of France is running for the eleventh time

Paul Girod, 88, has no plans to campaign. "Unless someone starts to bawl in the country," he says, relieved of all tongue in cheek. "The country" as he says, it is Droizy and its 80 inhabitants, his small village of Aisne, which he has directed since ... May 1958, ie 62 years in power. The longest-serving mayor of France has decided to face universal suffrage in a municipal election for the 11th consecutive time.

It is out of the question for him to state loud and clear that he is a candidate for the most prestigious position. Everything in its time. For the time being, he is simply standing for election to the municipal council which, during its first post-election session, will choose its first magistrate. On March 15, facing the verdict of the ballot boxes, they will be eight inhabitants in the running - four "old" of the outgoing municipal team including him, and four "new" - for seven positions of councilor.

Will the longevity record winner who, between 1978 and 2008, be a senator, notably under the UMP banner (Editor's note: old LR) , keep his chair? "We will see, it's the unknown," he replies, just to make the suspense last. One thing is certain, he is not stressed. "At my age, we are serene," he breathes. The retiree has "experience". When this Parisian agricultural engineer who took over the operation of his uncle in Droizy, was acclaimed for the first time at the age of 27, France was still under the Fourth Republic, and President René Coty. It was five months before the entry into force of the 5th, whose Constitution is still hung on a wall in his town hall.

"Happy but concerned"

At the time, this "largest farmer in the country" had taken over from a resigned mayor. On the blank ballot, a large majority of citizens had registered his name as was possible in small towns until 2014. Paul Girod had not yet declared himself to be leaving. But he had gladly accepted this "honor". The evening of his enthronement, the young reserve officer had not had time to change when he left the barracks where he had his weekly appointment. It was therefore in lieutenant's military uniform that he took office.

At that time, on these lands located 15 km from Soissons, rich in beet and wheat fields, Droizy housed two bistros and craftsmen who, today, have disappeared. Over the decades, the adopted Picard who, to date, has known 9 presidents of the Republic, has also lost his "freedom of initiative", particularly in the face of the growing weight of standards. " I did what I could. I am a happy mayor but also concerned because it is never simple, ”he describes.

The committed citizen who lives 80 meters from his town hall does not cling to the past, he who, a few months ago, plancha on the arrival of fiber optics in the village. He is always ready to look to the future. "Even if mine is limited in time," he smiles.