Disappearance. Louis Mermaz, activist of the socialist “old world”

It is February 1967, in Vienna. Louis Mermaz, a candidate for the legislative elections, has invited François Mitterrand to come and support him. Alas, already true to his reputation, the future president is very late and forces the candidate to hold the stage for three hours. An opponent finally gets up, reminds him of his electoral failures in Orne, and concludes: “Is that why we parachute you in here?”

The parachutist replies: “Orne remains right-wing. I preferred, Sir, to change departments rather than my convictions.”

The importance of François Mitterrand

The anecdote, told by Louis Mermaz in his Memoirs, speaks of the biting irony he knew how to use. It also announces his successful establishment in Vienna, where he would become a member of parliament (1967-1968, 1973-1990, 1997-2001), mayor (1971-2001) and senator (2001-2011), not to mention the presidency of the Council…