his refusal to run for president was also guided by the fear of not having a majority

Jacques Delors, a figure in European construction, dampened the hopes of the left by refusing to run in the 1995 presidential election even though he was the big favorite in the polls. He feared being prevented from governing.

Jacques Delors, who died on Wednesday December 27 at the age of 98, is known to be one of the architects of Europe, he will also remain as the one who refused to run in the 1995 presidential election. It is a moment which left its mark. On Sunday December 11, 1994, 13 million viewers watched 7 sur 7 on TF1. Total suspense. Anne Sinclair, the star presenter of this flagship show, asks him the question that he did not answer at the start of the show. And Jacques Delors will read his response on camera: “I have decided not to be a candidate for President of the Republic.” It’s a shock!

The one who is still president of the European Commission for one month, after ten years spent in Brussels, therefore refuses the battle of succession to the 14 years of reign of François Mitterrand, of whom he was nevertheless the Minister of Economy and Finance in 1981, in full euphoria after the triumph of the left. Nobody understands his decision. There are personal reasons, he cites his age, almost 70 years old. Jacques Delors basically explains that he does not organize his life according to a career to achieve or positions to conquer. Which is extremely rare, if not antithetical to political life.

But did he have ambition? President of the Fifth Republic, it is not a position, it is a holy grail, a French destiny and that cannot be refused. No one gives up on a presidential election in a position to win it. Rather, we are dealing with strings of suitors who all see each other one day at the Élysée but will have no chance of getting there.

He did not want to experience cohabitation in his turn

His choice was also dictated by political considerations. Jacques Delors had this magic formula, a mark of a certain form of realism on his part: “Tomorrow’s disappointments would be worse than today’s regrets.” The non-candidate had understood one thing. He was not assured of having a majority in the National Assembly during future legislative elections. He feared being prevented from governing and said he did not want “give illusions to the French.” Doesn’t that remind you of anything? This something hellish that we have been experiencing for 18 months. It must be said that from Brussels, he had observed the two cohabitations endured by François Mitterrand, with Jacques Chirac then Édouard Balladur. He did not want to live this disastrous experience in his turn.

Jacques Delors, basically, will leave the memory of an atypical career. Not to mention confusing. Started in 1969 in Matignon on the right with Jacques Chaban-Delmas, for whom he co-drafted the New Society project, left-wing Christian minister of François Mitterrand, who pushed him with Chancellor Helmut Kohl to the presidency of the Commission. He will leave the memory of a great builder of Europe, disinclined to solitude and the harshness of power, or to direct confrontation with the French people.