A clarification is necessary. Convicted of tax fraud in 2018, then banned from political life for almost a decade, Jérôme Cahuzac made his comeback to the arena on November 23. The former budget minister made his first public speech, looking like a mea culpain the Monsempron-Libos village hall. “I committed immorality (…) when I lied to the AssemblyI didn’t think for myself even if I took responsibility afterwards”, declared the former PS figure according to Libération. To mark his return to the forefront of the political scene, Jérôme Cahuzac was invited on the set of the show C to youbroadcast this Thursday, November 30 on France 5. From then on, Patrick Cohen couldn’t help but question him about these lies which remain anchored in many minds. “This bond of trust, how do you think it can be reestablished after lies that are, we saw one, but they were repeated for four months.”
Somewhat taken aback by the question from Anne-Elisabeth Lemoine’s sidekick, Jérôme Cahuzac wanted to clarify things while bringing “some important details”. “Not that I dispute the substance of what you have just said, quite the contrary. The lie for four months is the same. These are not lies. This is a repeated lie, these are not lies.”, he assured with a firm tone. Before throwing a little dig at Patrick Cohen: “In my opinion, there is a little difference. Butyou have the right not to have it.” Continuing his momentum, the former surgeon confided that he “been a prisoner of this lie”. “I was caught in a spiral that ended up crushing me”, he admitted, without tongue in cheek, to Anne-Elisabeth Lemoine. Having repented, Jérôme Cahuzac indicated that “the bond of trust” today depends “on the voters”.
Jérôme Cahuzac: this tackle from François Hollande
If Patrick Cohen continues to question the return of Jérôme Cahuzac to politics, Francois Hollande has a strong opinion on the matter. Guest of Franceinfo’s “8h30” on November 27, the former President of the Republic was merciless towards his ex-minister. “Criminally, he was sentenced to prison and he served his sentence. He can therefore regain his functions as a citizen. But morally, he will remain the one who lied.“, declared Julie Gayet’s husband. Before launching a small tackle at Jérôme Cahuzac: “Who lied in front of the national representation in the Assembly, who lied to his political familywho lied to me and who ultimately lied to the whole country?”
Photo credits: Screenshot C to you – France 5