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Death of Gérard Collomb: the city of Lyon in mourning
Death of Gérard Collomb: the city of Lyon in mourning – (France 2)
Gérard Collomb died on Saturday November 25, at the age of 76. The socialist activist was for 19 years the mayor of Lyon, his hometown.
Some nicknamed him “the Baron of Lyon”: Gérard Collomb, mayor of the city for nearly 20 years, then minister. “With everything he did for the city of Lyon, we must recognize that he was a figure“, confided a man, in a city market. Multiple tributes were also paid to him by the political class. Emmanuel Macron saluted the memory of a “dear friend” and a “statesman”.
The funeral will be celebrated on Wednesday
Gérard Collomb’s career began in the 1970s. The son of workers, the literary scholar joined the Socialist Party. In 81, he became a deputy with the pink wave carried by François Mitterrand. But his dream remains Lyon. He was elected mayor in 2001, after three attempts. “The culmination of a 25-year process”he declared then.
Major works, security… It transforms the city and attracts investors. Re-elected twice, in 2016 he became Emmanuel Macron’s first support. Appointed Minister of the Interior, he resigned during the Benalla affair. His funeral will be celebrated on Wednesday November 29.
