In a no-holds-barred interview, Stéphane Bern delivers a sharp look on the presidential couple and an indictment against the “political” drift of the head of state.
© Bestimage Emmanuel Macron and Stéphane Bern in Seine-et-Marne, in September 2019
IN BRIEF
- Stéphane Bern, famous host, discusses his relationship with Brigitte Macron and criticizes Emmanuel Macron's policy in an interview with Ouest-France.
- He says he is close to Brigitte Macron but criticizes Emmanuel Macron's disconnection and his plunge into political politics.
- Discover why Stéphane Bern refuses any government involvement despite his notoriety and his relations with the presidential couple.
The famous host Stéphane Bern spoke frankly about his relations with the presidential couple and his very critical vision of Emmanuel Macron's policy, in an interview with Ouest-France.
A friendship long-time with Brigitte Macron
Stéphane Bern assures us: he is “very good friends with the first lady, Brigitte Macron, who is a friend from before“. A proximity that sometimes earns him the title of “friend of the Macrons“, a label that makes him “laugh” as he judges it “éculéas cliché“. Because the host specifies well that he is not “friend of any of the heads of state” and defends himself from any “bias“.
If he is indeed often “invited when a king or queen comes to l'Élysée“, Stéphane Bern emphasizes that he “asks for nothing” and spends most of his time telling the President what he thinks, “and not only good things“. “He has every reason to be angry with me. I don't know if that's the case, he has the elegance not to tell me“, he slips.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000A “disconnected” President who quickly “got involved” in “political politics”
Asked about the many criticisms aimed at Emmanuel Macron's disconnection, Stéphane Bern does not mince his words: “I fear that he really is. It's not for lack of explaining to him about rurality.” The host deplores the fact that “everything is thought out, directed from Paris“, citing the example of the “major media made in Paris, without local roots“. He also points the finger “at the boboïsation of the intellectual elite” which creates according to him “a disconnection“.
As for the sometimes judged monarchical attitude of the President, Stéphane Bern concedes that this could “seduce” him. But on condition of “to stay above the parties and not to enter the political arena“. “To preside is to embody. Governing is the role of the Prime Minister”, he believes, regretting that in France, “the President thinks he's the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister dreams of being President“.
While he recognizes that Emmanuel Macron “had the best intentions” when he came to power, the host considers that “right away, he got his hands dirty with political politics and it was over“. A harsh assessment from the man who nevertheless claims to have “known and appreciated” all the Presidents “since Valéry Giscard d'Estaing“.
“I wouldn't last a week” in government
Despite his notoriety and his proximity with the presidential couple, Stéphane Bern assures that he has never been asked to enter the government. “There is no reason. My name is often put forward, but never to me“, he jokes. And to add, even before it is proposed to him: “I will say no“.
The reason ? The host says he does not practice “wooden language” and has the bad habit of saying “everything he thinks“, including bad things “about those who govern us“. “So I won't last a week“, he predicts with a certain humor. A franchise that deserves to be praised.