“Statesman,” “demanding servant,” “he leaves an immense void”: France’s political class pays tribute to Édouard Balladur

Édouard Balladur’s death at 97 prompted a broad outpouring of tributes from France’s political class, with figures from the center, mainstream right and nationalist right recalling his influence on public life.

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A demanding, measured and devoted servant of France, which he had in his heart, and of a Fifth Republic to which he devoted his life.

President Emmanuel Macron described Balladur as a “demanding, measured and devoted servant” of France and the Fifth Republic. Macron said the former prime minister had kept France “in his heart” and had devoted his life to the country’s institutions.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called Balladur a major figure in French public life, from his early work alongside Georges Pompidou to his time at Matignon. Lecornu also remembered him as “a statesman with a reforming spirit” who would remain a reference for many people in his political family.

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A statesman with a reforming spirit.

Nicolas Sarkozy, whom Balladur helped launch into national politics in 1993 by appointing him government spokesman and then budget minister, described him as an example, mentor and friend. Sarkozy said he would not have had his own political career without Balladur’s trust and friendship. “His departure leaves an immense void,” he said.

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His departure leaves an immense void.

Other figures emphasized Balladur’s political character. Republican leader Bruno Retailleau said Balladur held a high opinion of voters because he held a noble idea of France, and sought to convince rather than charm them. MoDem leader François Bayrou recalled Balladur’s “sense of the state” and his reform-minded government from 1993 to 1995. Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the Renaissance group in the National Assembly, said he had held a high view of France’s institutions and of those responsible for serving them.

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The sense of the state.