Jack Lang is not about to retire any time soon. At 84 years old, the one who was Minister of Culture under François Mitterrand in the early 1980s still seems fulfilled by his position as president of the Arab World Institute (IMA). An adventure which should continue for a few more years, as reported France Culturevsth Tuesday, December 19. According to our colleagues, the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron will indeed propose a reappointment of the politician at the head of the Arab World Institute, confirming information previously announced by the media The letter. Thus Jack Lang, who has been in office since January 25, 2013, should run for a fourth term.
Since March 6, the official date of the end of his third term, Jack Lang was acting president of the IMA. The board of directors of the Arab World Institute, which is notably composed of seven Arab ambassadors as well as seven personalities appointed by the Quai d’Orsay, will have to decide this Wednesday, December 20 on the name of the next president. As a reminder, other potential candidates had been considered, including François Gouyette, the former French ambassador to Algeria and Jean-Yves Le Drian, the former Minister of Defense. According to those around him, Jack Lang would nevertheless have “the confidence of the president [Emmanuel Macron] and Arab countries.
⋙ Emmanuel Macron marked by the exercise of power: his physical evolution since 2017
Jack Lang: “Leaving the IMA would be a struggle”
In an interview given to WorldJack Lang had assured that he did not intend to hold on to his functions indefinitely. “But it’s true that I want to continue what I started. Not necessarily a whole term, maybe one or two years”, he assured our colleagues, before responding to the criticism. Pointed out for his demands with his collaborators as well as his advanced age, he then presented himself as being “THE Joe Biden of Arab culture”, “as young today as yesterday”. “Leaving the IMA would be a struggle, but I will bounce back, in France or elsewhere, I’m not here to fold my arms“he concluded.
Article written in collaboration with 6Medias.
Photo credits: Sandrine Thesillat / Panoramic / Bestimage