Table of Contents
- 1 “He always gave everything for Lyon”
- 2 “Political life has impacted our family life”
- 3 “No longer himself” from the Ministry of the Interior
- 4 In what ways did Gérard Collomb’s experiences as Minister of the Interior, a period marked by both challenges and controversy, influence his later political views and actions?
Par
Nicolas Zaugra
Published on Nov 26, 2024 at 10:42 a.m.; updated on Nov. 26, 2024 at 10:54 a.m.
A year ago, Lyon lost one of its emblematic mayors. Gérard Collomb, former mayor, president of the metropolis and former Minister of the Interior, died of stomach cancer at the age of 76. A few days later, the people of Lyon discovered the emotion of his wife and children during the public funeral on the square in front of Saint-Jean Cathedral.
A year after the disappearance of her father, Clémence Collomb, aged 20 and a student, spoke for the first time since the death of Gérard Collomb. She testified Monday November 25, 2024 on the set of BFM Lyon. This is the first public expression of this type from the Collomb family since last winter.
“He always gave everything for Lyon”
On the set, the young woman recalled that her father “always gave everything for Lyon” through his mandates. “He devoted his life to public affairs, to politics. He devoted 40 years of his life to it, he left his health there. But it is part of the history of Lyon and of France,” she says.
After her defeat in the 2020 municipal elections, her daughter looks back on this painful period. “He insisted on remaining in opposition for Lyon and for the residents. He showed a lot of resilience. It was the choice of the Lyonnais. That’s what he told us.”
“Political life has impacted our family life”
“From 2018, I saw him very sad. It was difficult to see him like that. Political life has impacted our family life […] It was hard for us. The times we spent with him as a family were no longer the same,” continues Clémence Collomb.
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He was sad. He was betrayed when he had to leave his city of Lyon and his family to become Minister of the Interior. He knew that no one would follow him to Paris. But it was a responsibility for himself if it’s not necessarily what he wanted to do at first. He kind of had to go.
Clemence Collomb
“No longer himself” from the Ministry of the Interior
When Emmanuel Macron appointed his father Minister of the Interior, he “was no longer himself”, according to his daughter.
“Something has definitely changed. When he returned, he campaigned again for the 2020 elections and lost the mayorship of Lyon. It was another difficult stage in his life. It took him a while,” she recalls.
Asked about possible political ambitions, Clémence Collomb rather responded in the negative, recalling that her father’s ambitions had a very significant impact on her childhood and family life.
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In what ways did Gérard Collomb’s experiences as Minister of the Interior, a period marked by both challenges and controversy, influence his later political views and actions?
## Interview: Reflecting on the Legacy of Gérard Collomb
**Guests:**
* **Dr. Sophie Martin:** Political analyst and historian specializing in Lyon’s political landscape.
* **Ms. Anne Lefèvre:** Journalist and author of a biography on Gérard Collomb.
**Introduction:**
Welcome to this special segment where we delve into the life and legacy of Gérard Collomb, one year after his passing. We are joined by experts Dr. Sophie Martin and Ms. Anne Lefèvre to discuss his impact on Lyon, his time as Minister of the Interior, and the reflections of his daughter, Clémence, on his personal sacrifices.
**Section 1: A Lifetime Dedicated to Lyon:**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Martin, Gérard Collomb is often described as a figure deeply intertwined with Lyon’s identity. What were some key achievements during his tenure as mayor that perhaps best exemplify his dedication to the city?
* **Interviewer:** Ms. Lefèvre, your biography delves into Collomb’s motivations and political philosophies. Would you say he viewed his role as mayor as a vocation, beyond simple political ambition?
**Section 2: The Weight of Public Service:**
* **Interviewer:** Clémence Collomb’s recent interview revealed the personal toll that her father’s political career took on their family life. Ms. Lefèvre, have you uncovered similar sentiments from others close to him in your research?
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Martin, the political arena can be demanding and often isolating. How prevalent do you think this strain on personal lives is within high-level political roles, and what measures, if any, could mitigate this impact?
**Section 3: Minister of the Interior – A TumultuousChapter:**
* **Interviewer:** Moving to Collomb’s time as Minister of the Interior, Clémence shared that her father “wasn’t himself” during this period. Dr. Martin, what were some of the key challenges and controversies faced by Collomb in this ministerial role?
* **Interviewer:** Ms. Lefèvre, did Collomb himself ever express regret about accepting this position? How did his experiences as Minister shape his later political approach?
**Section 4: A Legacy Remembered:**
* **Interviewer:** Looking back on Gérard Collomb’s career, both successes and challenges, what lasting impact do you believe he has had on Lyon and France, Dr. Martin?
* **Interviewer:** Ms. Lefèvre, how do you anticipate Clémence Collomb’s reflections on her father’s life influencing the way his legacy is remembered by future generations?
**Conclusion:**
* **Interviewer:** Thank you both for your insights into the complex and multifaceted career of Gérard Collomb. His dedication, sacrifice, and the lasting impact of his decisions will surely continue to be debated and analyzed for years to come.
