The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

Anne Hidalgo and Jean Castex, behind the scenes of an astonishing complicity

2021-02-20T07:07:32.400Z


Between the Prime Minister and the Mayor of Paris, a solid friendship has been forged which contrasts with the tensions between the Socialist and the head of


A bit of softness in this brutal world.

This is the story of the relationship between Anne Hidalgo and Jean Castex.

When asked, the mayor of Paris is full of praise for the Prime Minister: "He is a republican very respectful of political pluralism and people", she underlines to the Parisian - Today in France.

Unexpected response: "Anne Hidalgo defends the interests of her city with conviction," the tenant of Matignon also tells us.

She is a woman with whom we can interact in a simple and direct way ”.

Between the socialist and the former deputy secretary general of the Elysee under Nicolas Sarkozy, an astonishing bond has been established.

Barely appointed in July 2020, “Jean” went to the Hôtel de Ville for a long tête-à-tête with “Anne” in his large office overlooking the Seine.

The gesture is friendly, not formal.

Since then, the two personalities have called each other, have asides on the sidelines of official ceremonies and discuss the health situation.

"If you go to vaccinodromes, I will go up to Paris, slips the mayor of Paris, during a meeting in Matignon.

If you favor targeted vaccinations, I will adapt.

Tell us your choice, we will adapt.

"

"It's too cordial between them", sneers a deputy LREM

In her letters, the elected representative suggests to the Prime Minister to have the teaching staff massively tested.

She also pleads for the visit to a museum worth exemption in the event of new confinement.

"Her job is really not easy," she repeats in private.

"Jean Castex puts oil in the wheels, he does not relay the attacks against Anne Hidalgo of some of his ministers", appreciates the PS senator of the capital Rémi Féraud.

This attitude makes Macronie cough a bit.

"It is too cordial between them", sneers a deputy LREM who wet the shirt in the battle of the municipal ones.

When the government spokesperson Gabriel Attal announces, on the morning of November 3, 2020, the imminence of a curfew in the capital, Matignon cuts it off bluntly.

Behind the scenes, the Prime Minister's chief of staff, Nicolas Revel, takes his phone.

“It's bullshit,” he assures Anne Hidalgo's teams.

Former right-hand man of Bertrand Delanoë, he is well known at the Town Hall.

In reality, the curfew is in the cards, but a consultation meeting is scheduled for the afternoon.

No question of grilling politeness to the Parisian teams.

"There is between them two an axis of confidence and appeasement", summarizes a close to the Socialist.

PODCAST.

The new life of Jean Castex, the man deconfinement plunged into "the hell of Matignon"

“Anne Hidalgo cannot accuse the government of being in the shackles,” comments a Macronist strategist.

This offers an advantage: she cannot let go of her punches against the Prime Minister.

The understanding between the elected left and the high official on the right dates back to the organization of the Olympic Games in Paris.

In September 2017, Jean Castex was appointed interministerial delegate to the future Olympic Games of 2024. “He did not seek to politicize the file by trying to heckle her so that the State takes back control or by playing the card of the president of the region LR Valérie Pécresse, remembers a former collaborator of Anne Hidalgo.

And, besides, she appreciates his temperament.

"

Political Newsletter

Our analyzes and indiscretions on power

Subscribe to the newsletterAll newsletters

So, when Jean Castex succeeds Edouard Philippe in the last reshuffle, Anne Hidalgo welcomes his arrival as few voices in the opposition.

“He's a great personality, he's someone I really appreciate: his frankness, his competence, his know-how.

So I really wish him success for the country.

"

READ ALSO>

Presidential 2022: Would Anne Hidalgo worry Emmanuel Macron?


This heat contrasts with the tenacious mistrust that reigns between the head of state and the mayor of Paris.

The bickering goes back to the question of shops open on Sundays.

It was under François Hollande.

Emmanuel Macron, Minister of the Economy, then imposes his choices on the mayor of Paris.

Since then, the current has not passed.

And tensions continue to grow against a background of national ambitions and the presidential race of 2022. In recent weeks, Anne Hidalgo has fired red bullets on the recovery plan or on delays in vaccination, ranging up to asserting that "with such shortcomings, the Landing of June 1944 would have failed".

Critics who always spare a certain Jean Castex.

Source: leparis

All news articles on 2021-02-20

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.