In Le Petit Robert, we define the word “authentic” as follows: “Which expresses a deep truth of the individual and not superficial habits, conventions. Therein lies the key to the success of several of the new mayors and new mayors elected on Sunday: the victory of authenticity over professional policy. This is certainly the case for Valérie Plante who, starting far behind in the polls, caught up and then edged Denis Coderre by 14 points. A performance nothing less than remarkable.
In 2017, Mme Plant, in part, at his dazzling laughter. In 2021, we can explain her re-election by the impression that the mayoress continues to give that she is really sincere. Whether you like or don’t like some of her policies, whether her laughs end up annoying or not, the fact remains that Valérie Plante is a person with whom we would be comfortable having a coffee tomorrow morning. . And it would surely be no different from what we see on television.
Mr. Coderre, for his part, has worked too hard on his “rebirth” – a diet, a book, confessions – for his new personality to be authentic. The “deep truth” of Denis Coderre, everyone knows, is to be a professional politician. A real, a good traditional politician. A professional politician all the same, with all the tics that come with it. When we are authentic, transparency does not scare us.
Although I am less familiar with the new mayors and new mayors of other cities in Quebec, we can perhaps explain Bruno Marchand’s hard-won victory in Quebec by a rejection of traditional politicians. The sincerity of Mr. Marchand, politically started from nowhere, but who worked at Centraide for several years, was not in doubt. Marie-Josée Savard also claimed to be authentic. Like Valérie Plante, she too had a contagious smile. However, unlike her opponent, she carried a political background. In addition, the fact of having been blessed by the outgoing mayor undoubtedly harmed her; Quebec voters would not be told who to vote for, even by Régis Labeaume!
The young Catherine Fournier already has significant political experience. But there is in her a sincerity, an almost naivety, which pleased many voters of Longueuil. “From the moment I thought about the possibility of being a candidate in this election, I chose to trust my intuition, to follow my convictions and my values,” said Mr.me Fournier after his victory. It pays today. This is proof that authenticity wins in politics. ” We can not say it better.
However, claiming authenticity is not enough. Voters, most of the time, are not fooled. Authenticity must be… authentic.
When we win by relying on authenticity, the responsibility that comes with our new functions is even heavier. The expectations of the population are high. We must avoid complying too much with the demands of partisan politics, as conceived by the “advisers” of all kinds around us. We must not let ourselves be swallowed up by the bureaucratic machine either. In other words, we must remain true. Big order. But it is possible. Isn’t this what Mayor Labeaume demonstrated during his 14 years in power in Quebec, he who has remained true to himself, for better or for worse?
The incredible popularity of François Legault is also based on this impression that he has remained who he is. Even though the messages are carefully crafted by the clever ” spin doctors Of the CAQ, the Prime Minister always gives the impression that everything he says is spontaneous, that it comes from him. No doubt because, spin doctors or not, he just says what he thinks. The accountant, the sanguine and impatient man are never far away.
Make no mistake, Quebeckers remain very suspicious of politicians. […] The low turnout in municipal elections testifies to this disillusionment.
But there is in Sunday’s results an important lesson for all those who choose to participate in the electoral process: despite everything that the “pros” of partisan politics tell us, we must speak the truth, even if it means making mistakes. And then apologize, really. And continue his journey, with frankness, without artifice. […]