In troubled economic times, and with politicians enjoying handsome perks at taxpayers’ expense, reaching for de Gaulle may also be a way for the French to invoke a model of integrity and modesty. Even as president, de Gaulle paid his gas and electricity bills himself. In 1958, unveiling an austerity programme, he announced: “Without an effort to regain control, without the sacrifice it requires and the hope it entails, we will remain a country that lags behind, swinging continually between drama and mediocrity.”
A place for friends to meet... with reflections on politics, history, art, music, books, morals, manners, and matters of faith. A blog by Elena Maria Vidal.
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Monday, June 21, 2010
De Gaullemania
The indomitable Charles de Gaulle.
3 comments:
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Yes, those wartime leaders look better by the day compared with what we have had over the past couple of decades.
ReplyDeleteCharles de Gaulle had something that French politicians miss today; class. I can only think of Giscard d'Estaing who came pretty close in his carriage and demeanor. DeGaulle took his position as President seriously; without the tabloid stories we hear of politicians today. I also know from his writings that he was a monarchist at heart and wished France could return to its ancient heritage. I think the French disappointed him and he felt in his heart they were never worthy of France. He was always fascinating and a man who will go down in history as one of the greatest in French history.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure that De Gaulle supported Belgium's unfortunate king, Léopold III, at a time when he was shamefully wronged and defamed by other Allied leaders. A definite mark in De Gaulle's favor, in my view.
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