On Monday, September 23rd, Bruno Retailleau achieves a lifelong dream on the steps of the Beauvau hotel. With great fervor and a tense demeanor, it is clear that he has long awaited this moment, when he finally dons the suit of Minister of the Interior, the first ministerial position in his long political career. Behind his lectern, he outlines his roadmap. “First priority: restore order, second priority: restore order, third priority: restore order, because I see order as a condition for freedom.” Behind him, Gerald Darmanin, his former comrade from The Republicans (LR), pretends not to hear what sounds like a sharp indictment.
To find the first trace of Bruno Retailleau in Le Monde, one must delve into the intricacies of Vendée local politics. During the cantonal elections on September 20th, 1988, Alain Rollat deciphers the grand maneuvers and petty betrayals within the local right-wing scene. He recounts the disillusionment of the mayor of Mortagne-sur-Sèvre, Gérard Brosset, who is angry at Philippe de Villiers for persuading his right-hand man, Bruno Retailleau, to run against him. “I wasn’t naive when I saw Bruno Retailleau, with his Parisian degrees and native of Bocage, since he hails from Saint-Malô-du-Bois, I said that, of course, I would take this young man as my successor in the next cantonal renewal. But when, after the legislative elections, I saw Philippe and Bruno walking together in the canton without telling me, I understood, and it was a big tear.”
In politics, ambition does not like to wait. So, young Retailleau chooses to entrust his future to Philippe de Villiers, who becomes his mentor. He does not regret it. The ascent is linear, but initially underground, at least for the readers of the evening newspaper. Bruno Retailleau only reappears on November 29th, 1994, in a short article reporting his election as a deputy following a partial legislative election. Due to the non-cumulation of mandates, Philippe de Villiers was forced to give up his seat. Le Monde writes: “The student maintains the tradition established by the master. Vice-president of the Vendée general council, Philippe de Villiers’ deputy since 1998, Bruno Retailleau was comfortably elected in the first round.”
Retailleau’s political line is ultra-conservative. This is evident in his announcement of priorities upon becoming Minister of the Interior, emphasizing the importance of restoring order for the preservation of freedom. His close relationship with Philippe de Villiers and early mentorship under him shaped his political career, leading to his election as a deputy and subsequent rise to ministerial positions. Retailleau’s ambition and strategic decisions have been key factors in his political success, highlighting the importance of alliances and loyalty in the world of politics.
