Can one become a “normal” citizen again after having been Prime Minister? Tenant of Matignon between 2020 and 2022, Jean Castex had to leave his functions as head of government, leaving his place to Elisabeth Borne. Today at the head of the Agency for financing transport infrastructure in France (Afit), the former Prime Minister has resumed a completely banal life, as shown in a photo posted this Friday on social networks.
The cliché, posted on Twitter, triggered an avalanche of reactions. We see the former mayor of Prades (Pyrénées-Orientales), sitting on a jump seat on line 1 of the Paris metro, backpack at his feet, like an ordinary user. “Line 1 today. What’s weird is that we find it weird, a former PM who finds a life like everyone else. It should be just ordinary, ”tweeted journalist Michel Mompontet, who published the snapshot.
“Courage Jean Castex… It’s Friday! »
“End of abundance for Jean Castex who took the metro in Paris this Friday, September 16”, “Courage Jean Castex… It’s Friday! “, “Don’t worry Jean Castex, it’s going to be fine…” or even “Lol, we’re talking about the guy who takes the plane twice to vote when the power of attorney exists? “, also wrote some Internet users.
“His behavior as a citizen is exemplary. It surprises us because in France, we are so used to seeing former rulers keep their car, their driver and all the rest…”, for his part greeted the journalist Jérôme Godefroy. “His Protection Service guys couldn’t have been far away,” tweeted another journalist Georges Malbrunot. “But let’s welcome this initiative to be close to the people,” he added.
Jean Castex had explained to journalists shortly after his departure from Matignon that he wanted to give up the privileges to which he was entitled as a former Prime Minister, and in particular a company car. “If you think I like subways and public transport, you’re not mistaken, ladies and gentlemen. It is even a very old passion, “said the former Prime Minister when he was still in office.