We are complementary prefer to say the prefect

Since Claude Guéant is manoeuvring in the "Castle", the prefects have the wind in its sails. Last appointment date to be come confirm this trend: Michel Thenault at the head of the Office of Patrick Devedjian, any new Minister responsible for the implementation of the economic stimulus plan. The two men known a few years ago in Strasbourg, during a visit of the then Minister for local freedoms in the fief of the prefect of the region Alsace. Today, the political and official are found under the ors of Cassini Hall, seat of the short-lived Ministry of recovery, some beds of flowers of Matignon. All objects: even Patrick Devedjian has the high word and repartee flamboyant, as Michel Thenault mask willingly his penchant for humor under a creaminess of Canon, fashionable for a servant of the State. "We are complementary," prefer to say the prefect.

In a previous life, father of two children who will celebrate his sixty-two years on 23 January was Inspector of taxes: he, high school student, well would have been spend the remainder of his days behind a bench under a chemist coat had to renounce manipulate molecules to pass through unscrupulous taxpayers tax returns. For the son of a foreman in an agricultural cooperative and a large family mother, defence of the tax authorities, failure to be a vocation, was a sure win quickly and easy way his life. Soon enough, however, a neighbour of Office the persuaded to try his luck at the ENA. In 1975, promoting André Malraux opens its doors. Beginning of his second life.

The taste of the concrete and the field

Assistant to the Drire of Lorraine, he joined the prefectoral somewhat by passing, alternate Director of Office of the prefect of this region to the raised foot. Since then, he has not left the body with which he feels many affinities: pragmatism, taste of the concrete ground, diversity of tasks... Alternating with regularity of metronome in central administration and territorial positions, Michel Thenault was known, in Paris as province, many "great moments" which, modesty and lack of time, it does not. In turn in position at Versailles (from 1997 to 2000), Châlons-en-Champagne (from 2000 to 2001), Strasbourg (from 2002 to 2005), Montpellier (from 2005 to 2007) and Rouen Finally, the former prefect of the region also travelled Ministerial. So far, always to Ministers from left: Gaston Defferre, which he was the young Chief of cabinet twenty-five years ago. Jean-Pierre Sueur, which he led the cabinet to the Secretariat of State for local communities; Finally, Alain Richard to the Ministry of defence, where as "dir - cab" with backdrop, September 11, 2001 attacks and social conflict that broke out in the National Gendarmerie in the end of 2001.

Michel Thenault, who was also General Manager of the local communities for five years, from 1992 to 1997, is also much occupied decentralization. An asset to his new duties at the Ministry of the relaunch, which is expected that the implementation of the plan will be at the regional level.