Seven former French prime ministers have admitted that life as head of government was close to a living hell. In a series of interviews in Le Monde, Pierre Messmer, Raymond Barre, Pierre Mauroy, Laurent Fabius, Michel Rocard, Edith Cresson and Edouard Balladur all agreed that the job was a "formidable grinding machine". Mme Cresson, France’s only female prime minister, who survived in the job for less than a year from 1991 to 1992, was categorical. "It wasn’t worth it," she said. "I should have refused." For M Mauroy (1981-1984) sleep was the only release. "When one is at this post, it is a pleasure to sleep, to forget everything," he said.
As for Presidents - presumably they’re just happy enough enjoying the post’s major perk: immunity from prosecution. |