Stéphane Burgatt with AFP // Photo credits: Christophe SIMON / AFP
“The voice and face of Marseille”, the “banter” of a “great man serving the territories”: political figures, particularly on the right, paid tribute, this Monday, May 20, to the former mayor of Marseille Jean-Claude Gaudin, died at the age of 84.
Jean-Claude Gaudin, a figure in right-wing politics and former mayor of Marseille, the second city in France which he represented and led for 25 years, has died at the age of 84. Political figures, particularly on the right, paid tribute to him this Monday, May 20. “He loved Marseille more than anything and the people of Marseille loved him passionately. I loved his cheekiness. I admired his courage. I listened to his advice. I am proud to have worked alongside him. My pain is immense, I lose a friend,” wrote Éric Ciotti, president of the Republicans, on X.
Minister, senator for more than 18 years, VP of @Senate passionate and emblematic mayor of #Marseille for 25 years, Jean-Claude Gaudin left us. France loses a great man in the service of politics and territories, I lose a friend. My thoughts are with his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/PdpuHKyEoJ
— Gérard Larcher (@gerard_larcher) May 20, 2024
“Jean-Claude Gaudin seemed unsinkable. His departure saddens me infinitely. To the one who loved Marseille so much, its history and its people, I want to pay an emotional and sincere tribute. This city will miss him. His mark will remain,” declared Benoît Payan, the mayor of Marseille.
“He had the accent, the fever, the fraternity”
Jean-Claude Gaudin was the voice and face of Marseille. For decades he was passionately political, a good-natured and colorful mix of Christian democracy and liberalism. Activist, head of the family, friend who did not forget, he was above all a good man. #Gaudin
— François Bayrou (@bayrou) May 20, 2024
“Jean-Claude Gaudin is no more. He was Marseille made man. From his city, his passion, he had the accent, the fever, the fraternity. For her, this child from Mazargues had risen to the highest positions of the Republic that he served, I am thinking of his loved ones and the people of Marseillais”, reported the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, on X.
A passion called Marseille.
Jean-Claude Gaudin experienced all the functions of the Republic but that of Mayor of Marseille was the one that most resembled him because his city, his life, was Marseille. All those who love the Phocaean city are in mourning today.… pic.twitter.com/LBOOzlN4Lg
— Xavier Bertrand (@xavierbertrand) May 20, 2024
A former president also wanted to pay tribute to him. “Jean-Claude Gaudin was for several decades a figure in French political life. He embodied with talent and warmth a sensitivity that still counts in our country. His passion for Marseille was added to that which he nourished for the Republic” , wrote François Hollande on his social networks.