“Perhaps on the last day I will chain myself to the castle gates”… Confessions of Prefect Bro before leaving

In a large office overlooking the prefectural park, several boxes lie at the foot of the Yvelin map. Kumak, a black Labrador, gets up for a few minutes to greet his owner before resuming his lazy nap. In a few weeks he will follow him to Rocamadour, in the Lot, where 68-year-old Jean-Jacques Braud should enjoy a peaceful retirement. After almost six years spent in Versailles, Prefect Ivelina, “claiming to be the prefect of bygone times, able to be silent, listen a lot and be loyal,” leaves. The Council of Ministers on Wednesday, February 7, confirmed his departure and his replacement by Frédéric Rose, President Macron’s current security adviser.

Almost six years after your appointment in Yvelines, your mission will end on March 3rd. What will you do now?

JEAN-JACQUES BROT. I’m going to stay at my house in Rocamadour. Then take care of my grandchildren, my children and perhaps answer certain requests. (smiles). But first I need this time to recover.

You will not go to any company or any official mission?

Even if I start getting certain offers, I need this time with my family.

Did this task hurt you that much?

The word is a bit strong. But it is true that I have lived these almost six years with passion and that the “machine” is wearing out.

Why force you to leave now, just a few months before the Olympics? It’s amazing…

It wasn’t exactly a planned scenario, that’s true! But in these features, you don’t own your work. So I take my bow.

Have you been given an explanation for this unexpected departure?

This is the organization of the office of the President of the Republic and the Prefecture of Yvelines. Everyone understands that one thing depends on the other!

Did they call you?

Yes. Emmanuel Macron’s chief of staff and the interior minister showed me their sensitivity. Gérald Darmanin, who always supported me and gave me advice, called me personally. He showed great elegance.

During your six years in office, what were your most memorable moments?

The murders of Samuel Paty and Stephanie Montfermet will forever remain the most intense moments (silence).

Were there any other important events?

Work I’ve done on cults and controversies such as Trapp’s work (where a philosophy professor was threatened after denouncing the “Islamization” of a city) were noticeable. I also remember the unforgettable reception and dinner of King Charles III at Versailles. I also remember these moments of great wealth with our Yvelen ministers, as well as with Jean Castex, Pierre Bedier, Catherine Pgard and many others. I have real gratitude to President Macron and Edouard Philippe. It was he who appointed me here in April 2018. We knew each other before and he insisted that I be there.

Not everything was rosy. Especially with elected officials…

Yes it’s true. Only a few of them were consistent in their hostility. (laughs).

Can you name any names?

There are three or four of them, no more. That didn’t stop me from inviting them to the going away party. And then there is the regional councilor who literally showered me with written insults. But in six years that’s not that much, and in the long run things aren’t going so badly for me!

Do you have an image of Eveline that you will keep?

The presence of the history of France, the Palace of Versailles. Working here, being so close to the history of France, is an incredible joy. Perhaps on the last day I will chain myself to the castle gates, shouting: “One more moment! »

They say that Yvelines is the center of the country. How do you analyze this little France from your privileged vantage point?

What worries me, as well as other colleagues, is the social, human and economic vulnerability of part of the population, despite significant government assistance, especially during Covid. The reasons are known and very complex, but we must question the state’s ability to act on these social inequalities. We must revitalize services, deconcentrate central administration and restore state resources at the departmental level.

Are there any other areas that concern you?

Territorial intelligence does an excellent job of collecting “low” information. But care must be taken when recruiting, training and retaining agents. This is of fundamental importance in the economic sphere or in radicalization. This ties into the third area of ​​concern: mental health. We have people walking in nature with mental predispositions, susceptible to radicalization and religious fanaticism.

Some articles reduce you to the level of a guard at La Lanterne, the residence of the President of the Republic at Versailles. Isn’t this annoying?

I was very amused by this. But let’s not underestimate this feature as it still plays an important role of trust. We will not remain prefects of Yvelines if we do not respect what La Lanterne means to the head of state and his wife. If we say something, we lose their trust.

Isn’t that the prefect?

Not necessarily… Classic reflexes are a little lost. I claim that I am the prefect of old times, able to remain silent, listen a lot and be loyal without being either servile or conformist. I know what I need to know.