Political reactions from all sides are increasing after the death of the former mayor of Marseille on Monday at the age of 84.
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Many political figures pay tribute to Jean-Claude Gaudin, former mayor of Marseille, who died at the age of 84 on Monday May 20. “Jean-Claude Gaudin is no more. He was Marseille made man”, writes Emmanuel Macron on. From his city, his passion, he had the accent, the fever, the fraternity. For her, this child from Mazargues had risen to the highest positions in the Republic which he served. I think of his loved ones and the people of Marseille.”
Renaud Muselier, the president of the regional council of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, says “struck with immense sadness”. “Together, we have built unity and unity in the service of Marseille, he adds. He served this city and knew how to embody it, with exceptional talent. He also served France, his country, and he was a great mayor. He will leave an indelible mark in this city that he loved so much, served so much and pampered so much.”
Jean-Claude Gaudin was like a father to me”, written on the social network X Martine Vassalpresident of the Bouches-du-Rhône departmental council, of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis and DVD municipal councilor at Marseille town hall. “Everyone knows it but I want to write it. A great statesman, an unforgettable mayor of Marseille in our two thousand year old history, and above all a man with an enormous heart. My pain is immense. Those who attacked him should keep a low profile, because this man loved them even in pain. Let us be the Marseille of Jean-Claude, generous, open and courageous.
“Jean-Claude Gaudin seemed unsinkable”, writes about X the current mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan. His departure saddens me greatly. To the one who loved Marseille, its history and its people so much, I want to pay an emotional and sincere tribute. This city will miss him. His mark will remain.”
“There is sadness today at the announcement of the death of Jean-Claude Gaudin, reacts his deputy Samia Ghali. We did not share the same values, nor the same vision of Marseille, but no one can ever take away from Jean-Claude Gaudin that he loved his city and the people of Marseille passionately, unfailingly. He left his mark on the local and national political scene for half a century. Today, Marseille loses one of these emblematic children of the 20th century. My thoughts are with his loved ones, his friends and his political family.”
The boss of the Republicans and deputy for Alpes-Maritimes, Éric Ciotti pays tribute to his “friend”. “Jean-Claude Gaudin is dead. He loved Marseille more than anything and the people of Marseille loved him passionately, he testifies. I liked his cheekiness. I admired his courage. I listened to his advice. I am proud to have worked alongside him. My pain is immense, I lose a friend.” “Jean-Claude Gaudin experienced all the functions of the Republic but that of Mayor of Marseille was the one that most resembled him because his city, his life, was Marseille, reacts Xavier Bertrandpresident of Hauts-de-France. All those who love the Marseille city are in mourning today.
“France loses a great man in the service of politics and territories, reacted Gérard Larcher, president of the Senate. Jean-Claude Gaudin has left us. France loses a great man in the service of politics and territories, I lose a friend. My thoughts are with his loved ones.”wrote the President of the Senate
“Jean-Claude Gaudin was for several decades a figure in French political life, writes former socialist president François Hollande. He embodied with talent and warmth a sensitivity that still matters in our country. His passion for Marseille was added to that which he nourished for the Republic. He always welcomed me with elegance and sympathy. I express my respect for his memory and my support for his loved ones and the people of Marseillais, beyond political differences.”
Jean-Claude Gaudin was for several decades a figure in French political life. He embodied with talent and warmth a sensitivity that still matters in our country. His passion for Marseille was added to that which he nourished for the Republic. He always… https://t.co/3WeCzgHR7P
— François Hollande (@fhollande) May 20, 2024
The boss of MoDem, François Bayrou, also expresses his sorrow about X: “Jean-Claude Gaudin was the voice and face of Marseille. For decades he was passionately political, a good-natured and colorful mix of Christian democracy and liberalism. Activist, head of the family, friend who did not forget, he was by above all a good man.”
“A huge thought for Marseille, for the people of Marseillais, for all his loved onesreacts Clément Beaune, MP and former minister. Jean-Claude Gaudin was the face of his city. He committed himself with passion, a lifetime of politics, enthusiasm and demands!”
“It’s raining tears on his city. He was Marseille”, writes former minister Christophe Castaner, originally from Var.