A Half-Century at the Heart of the Fifth Republic
Writing on X, Macron stated that Balladur “had dedicated his life to the Fifth Republic.”
Macron described the former premier as a “demanding, measured, and devoted servant” of France. He recalled Balladur’s early years as a loyal aide to President Georges Pompidou, whom he accompanied throughout his mandate.
From the Élysée to Matignon
Current Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also posted a statement online. He noted that Balladur’s public life spanned five decades, stretching from his early days at the Élysée Palace under Pompidou to his accession to Matignon.
Lecornu characterized him as a statesman with a “reformative spirit” who remains a key reference point for his political family.
Gabriel Attal echoed those sentiments. He remarked that Balladur shaped more than fifty years of French public life.
Mentorship and Personal Grief
Former President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed deep personal grief over the passing of his former mentor. Writing on social media, Sarkozy said he lost “an example, a mentor, and a friend.”
He added that his own political career would not have been possible without Balladur’s trust and friendship. Sarkozy supported Balladur during the 1995 presidential election against Jacques Chirac.
Precision Governance and the Sense of the State
François Bayrou, another former prime minister, told BFMTV that Balladur possessed a profound “sense of the State.” He compared the precision of his governance to a “Swiss watch mechanism.”
On the right, National Rally president Jordan Bardella highlighted Balladur’s economic focus. Bardella noted that the former prime minister understood that a nation must control its public finances to remain master of its destiny.
Bardella also referenced Balladur’s recent commentary urging France to reclaim national sovereignty and control over migration policy.
Bruno Retailleau praised Balladur’s commitment to right-wing and liberal convictions balanced by a deep moderation in expression. He contrasted his style with contemporary political discourse.
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