“François Bayrou was already obsessed with debt in 2007” says Philippe Berta from Nîmes, a loyal follower of the Prime Minister for 30 years.

François Bayrou et Philippe Berta, ensemble à Nômes en 2008. MAXPPP

Former MoDem MP for Gard Philippe Berta has known François Bayrou for thirty years. Testimony.

Academic, geneticist, Philippe Berta from Nîmes has led a political career in parallel with his professional life which is “a thirty-year companionship” with François Bayrou.

And the man who was a MoDem MP for Gard from 2017 to 2024, and former president of the federation of the Democratic Movement in the same department from 2007 to the end of 2014, told us on Friday evening, as soon as the handover ceremony between the Béarnais and Michel Barnier had ended, that “given the emergency situation and the immense difficulties, we needed someone with experience. François has this experience and, he, is likely to bring together the broadest possible audience”.

“He has always seen the problems before anyone else”

He continues: “I have known him since 1995. He has always seen the problems before anyone else world, even if he never had the political space to interact. But I remember, for example, the campaign for the 2007 legislative elections, when he warned, alone, of the weight of the debt that we were going to pass on to future generations. It was already an obsession with him.”

Another quality that the Gardois notes in the new Prime Minister:“He always wanted to take people because of their competence, and not for their political position. And he can endorse ideas from the socialists as well as ideas from the Republican right. To move things forward”.

“The chances of success are slim”

Philippe Berta thus sees François Bayrou as the man for the job: “The chances of success are slim. But if he doesn't succeed, then I'll be really, really worried. Because I don't see who could succeed.”

A flaw? “This is not a scientist, so even with him, it is a fight to advance our ideas on the subject. But none of his predecessors were, nor unfortunately, almost anyone in the political decision-making circuit”. But, he adds, “he is a hard worker, and a down-to-earth person. I envy the city of Pau for having had him as mayor for so long”.

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