Jacques Serais, edited by Maxime Asseo
Catherine Pgard, 68, at the head of the public establishment of Versailles, has reached the age limit. Her mandate has expired since March 2021, but Emmanuel Macron absolutely seems to want to keep her in this position. A question arises: why so much stubbornness? Explanations.
However, it is not for lack of candidates to replace her. Emmanuel Macron absolutely seems to want to keep Catherine Pgard, 68, at the head of the public establishment of Versailles. After a draft decree challenged by the Council of State, the executive tried on Wednesday to pass by way of amendment in the Senate, in a bill on the Olympic Games (Versailles hosting the equestrian events), to allow the former journalist to keep her job. An obstinacy that did not bear fruit.
The “fait du prince”?
For Emmanuel Macron, the interest is not so much the Palace of Versailles. According to several sources, in the entourage of the Head of State, it is more La Lanterne which is at the center of presidential concerns. This hunting lodge, residence of the Macron couple on weekends or during holidays, is located at the bottom of the park of Versailles. And Catherine Pgard meets the expectations of the tenant of the Élysée: discretion, management of the paparazzi in ambush… The hostess had already given satisfaction to Nicolas Sarkozy then François Hollande.
Eminent personalities have indeed applied for the post, such as Camille Pascal, former adviser to Jean Castex, or Jean d’Haussonville, former director general of the national domain of Chambord, and Hervé Lemoine, director of the Mobilier national. But for the President, out of the question at this stage to separate from this accommodating neighbor. Hence Emmanuel Macron’s desire to put in place a multitude of schemes (draft decree, amendment to the Senate) to try to extend, whatever the cost, this mandate which has exceeded its expiry date. Some denounce the “act of the prince”, or rather of the king.