Every day at 7 pm, find “Behind the scenes”, our column on the underside of political life.
Last weekend, Renaud Muselier wandered the aisles of the famous santons fair in Marseille.
Not for strolling, no, the president of the southern region (PACA) has a very specific objective.
He wants to buy a santon bearing the effigy of his friend, the famous professor Raoult, to place it in the nursery of the hotel de region.
At 13 euros each (!) It's the box for this year.
So much so that Renaud Muselier has turned a blind eye.
Out of stock!
The salesman said to him: "Come back on Tuesday, we will have been delivered, but come as soon as they open, at 10 am, because they are leaving in twenty minutes!"
We know that Didier Raoult is a star in Marseille but the anecdote reveals more than just local popularity.
How to explain this quasi-religious veneration (it is the case to say it) for a man whose credibility has nevertheless been undermined.
What if the French wanted a guru?
The Covid crisis has pushed mistrust of everything that has until then been authoritative to its climax.
Political discourse, scientific consensus, opinion of intellectuals: the French are increasingly skeptical.
In this troubled time, some people no longer believe in anything, so they look for a figure of savior.
A compass, whatever.
“People are lost, Muselier analyzes in private.
They want a wizard to heal them and tell them the truth ”.
Even if it means switching from the rational to idolatry.
Even if it means coming back in the second week to buy a santon.
