A very rare communication for a Prime Minister. Michel Barnier underwent surgery last weekend for a “cervical injury,” as he learned in a press release distributed by Matignon.
The head of government’s doctor states that the operation “went very well.” “The results of the analysis will be known within a few weeks,” the doctor specifies.
“He has resumed his activity normally”
Barely 36 hours after the end of the debates on the State budget and when the examination of the social security financing bill has just begun, the news comes at a very bad time for the executive.
“Today he resumed his work normally,” the statement said, adding that the prime minister “will resume his public activities in the Council of Ministers” this Thursday.
Michel Barnier will therefore not be present at the current questions to the Government in the National Assembly and the Senate on Tuesday and Wednesday to respond to parliamentarians.
Historically, state figures are very discreet about their health status. Édouard Philippe, who suffered from mild autoimmune diseases, waited until his departure from Matignon to speak publicly about his alopecia. However, he had dealt with his vitiligo while serving as head of government.
Precedents
In 2009, Nicolas Sarkozy, then President of the Republic, suffered vagal discomfort after jogging. The Elysée announced the news a few hours later in a press release. Jacques Chirac had suffered a stroke and was hospitalized in Val-de-Grâce in Paris, without the Elysée formally communicating about it before the news was revealed in the press.
As for François Mitterrand, his prostate cancer, detected a few months after his election to the presidency of the Republic, was not revealed until 11 years later, during his hospitalization.
Source: BFM TV