All in symbols. When he entered a Lidl store in the 14th arrondissement of Paris this Thursday afternoon - surrounded by the group's ban and backbenchers, who had come to welcome him in front of the entrance for the occasion - Clément Beaune was already thinking at checkout. The Secretary of State knows that the brand is the first in the country to have ordered and received the new currency which has just been put into circulation to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the euro and the launch of the French presidency of the European Union (PFUE). So far, no country in the euro zone - with the exception of the monarchies which have changed sovereigns - had taken such an initiative since 2022. The tenant of the Quai d'Orsay therefore wishes to inaugurate this unprecedented change himself, by being the first customer to receive theone of those brand new two euro coins.
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To get his sesame, the young forty-something has only one idea in mind. Go to the fruit and vegetable department, and "
buy apples
" there. The choice owes nothing to chance, and is clearly intended as a very political nod to Jacques Chirac. With the approach of the presidential election, which will take place in nearly three months, the allusion is especially addressed to Valérie Pécresse. As well as to all the right-wing heirs of the former head of state, who have largely fueled the controversy over the installation of the European flag under the Arc de Triomphe this weekend. “
We must remind all those who balk, and who tend to forget it, that Jacques Chirac was a great European, and that he remains the first president of the euro. His legacy now belongs to us,and he hires us all today
», He underlines, strolling in the aisles of the supermarket.
An ancillary subject compared to the stakes, but a very concrete object for the French
Once his tray of six Limousin apples has been paid for, Clément Beaune places two of the coins that the cashier has just handed him in the "palm" of his hand.
He observes them, exposes them to the camera and cameras.
Then he deciphers the illustration in a small group.
“
The first side, the one with the amount and the map of Europe, is common to all countries.
The second, on the other hand, shows an oak and an olive tree, and which represent strength and wisdom.
They fit into a Hexagon, by their root, but they go beyond it, by their leaves
», He comments.
Not far from him are in particular Marc Schwartz, the managing director of the Monnaie de Paris.
As well as Joaquin Jimenez, the "General Engraver of Currencies", also present, and who was again called upon this summer after having already drawn those of 2002.
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After the official framework of the trip, the Secretary of State for European Affairs finally returns to the scope of this visit. "
These coins are a symbol of everyday Europe
", he defends. The subject may seem incidental compared to the challenges of the PFUE - reform of the Schengen area; building a common defense; introduction of a tax system for large platforms; creation of a carbon tax at borders; etc -, but the object is nonetheless very concrete for the French. So much so, moreover, that Clément Beaune perfectly remembers the “starter kit” he received when the euro was launched 20 years ago. As he remembers Lionel Jospin, then Prime Minister,doing his shopping to liquidate his francs at the time. "
This is also our identity
, ”he concludes, leaving the scene.