[modern au - fic: confessing 2 it / collaboration]
Title: confessing 2 it.
Authors: S. and K.
Summary: An organic interview with Jean Louis Duroc in the span of 100 questions - by Jeanne Fournier.
confessing 2 it
an organic interview with Jean Louis Duroc in the span of 100 questions
By Jeanne Fournier
We all know it by now. The grand Duroc house near the valley, with its view and its old-fashioned façade, modernity hidden just on the other side of the walls. It’s become a view in itself, because we’ve seen it so many times, all of us. Pictures everywhere, in every magazine, most notably that yearly and by now almost traditional Christmas invitation where the readers are allowed to have a glimpse inside, at the Duroc couple’s untraditional lives and fittingly untraditional décor.
This is our setting. A minimalistic living room kept in black, white and greys. Across from me is the man himself. Jean Louis Duroc. The man everyone knows, yet whom very few know much about.
Monsieur Duroc, you’ve recently turned 48. Drawing nearer to 50, what will you say is your greatest accomplishment, when looking back on your life hitherto?
Maintaining the course set by my predecessor in terms of both social and economic accomplishments. Though Philippe would have done certain things differently from me, I believe he would have approved of our achievements.
Speaking of former State Minister Barrault, how would you describe the relation the two of you had up until the time of his tragic death?
(There’s a long moment of silence as he, visibly affected, attempts to voice his thoughts.) An endlessly professional coalition, Mademoiselle. In a broader sense - with regards to politics, he has taught me everything worth knowing.
In the process of learning, there’re always instances of trial and error. What will you say, then, is your greatest failure?
My greatest failure... My work ethics. A blessing to my career, but less so, I would say, to my private life. I don’t regret the time I’ve spent on politics, mind you. But when it nearly cost me my marriage, I knew I had to re-evaluate. Re-design, if you will.
Your marriage… Your wife, Mireille Duroc… The two of you have become household names and faces in most of Luxembourg and the rest of Europe, too - are there any aspects of your marriage whatsoever that still feel private to you?
Harsh. (Softened by a good-natured chuckle.) No, I’d say you’ve all been admirably efficient. Don’t worry, Mademoiselle - you have definitely earned your wages.
Often by asking the same questions over and over, so we’ll take it once more for the record, Monsieur Duroc. How is it really, with a spouse who’s ten years younger than yourself?
(And this time he laughs out loud.) A challenge.
I’ll have to ask one off record, then. Does your age make it more difficult to keep up with her or is it something else?
Off record? Does such a thing exist? Though if you insist - in all aspects but the physical, Mireille has always been much older than me. Keeping up with her is a process.
In public, your relationship by itself has never seemed to suffer any major scandals despite all the dirt that you’ve been dragged through individually. What bumps on the road have the two of you encountered in private that we haven’t heard about? Well, until now.
In private, you said. Perfect choice of words - it’s none of your business.
Exactly how many affairs have you had over the past 15 years, Monsieur Duroc?
Affairs?
There have been several allegations about your affairs with other women, most recently some speculations about your relationship to Anisette Robert. How many of them are true and how many of them have Mireille been aware of?
I will ask you to keep my colleagues out of your gossip columns. As for my wife - have you seen her? What sort of a man would I be to find her lacking?
Since you brought it up yourself, Monsieur Duroc… What initially made you take an interest in your wife?
Her intellect.
It’s widely acknowledged that you’re one of the grand forces in Europe when it comes to fiscal policy and economic prosperity, but if we take a look at your CV… You don’t seem to have attended university at any point. Was this a conscious decision?
Certainly. I didn’t have the time. (Shrug.) I don’t regret it. I have always surrounded myself with competent people.
Politicians can be arrogant bastards, however. So, have you met any opposition in regards to your lack of higher education?
Possibly. I really don’t remember.
Not to turn your attention back to your age again, but you were very young both when you were appointed Foreign Minister and later when you took over as State Minister. Has this made it difficult for some people to take you seriously? We both know that the public has loved your freshness, but Parliament is another world…
(A smile.) You don’t think I command respect?
Yours truly will have to admit that the look of amusement on Jean Louis’ face caused a certain fluster to temporarily interrupt her strict professionalism. It shows in the transcription, I fear.
The media respects you, that’s unarguable. The question wasn’t… about your… See, now you’ve got me all flustered, Monsieur Duroc. That’s not fair. How do you do it?
I've never thought about it, to be honest.
After a brief break, spend in the company of a homemade cappuccino for the lady and a strong espresso for the gentleman, we return to more serious matters. The Duroc brand, as it is has come to be known in wider circles. Not only in connection to his house or his office, but on a much more personal level.
Monsieur Duroc, you have more than 100.000 likes on your Facebook profile, more than any other current Luxembourgian politician. What do you ascribe your popularity to?
For the largest part, I hope that it’s a sign of public approval - that’s the best you can aim for as a politician. But I’d be a fool to deny the effects of PR and media representation. A solid image and solid results; popularity won’t happen without both.
Your results have been very consistent over the years - economic stability, lower taxes and privatisation - where your image has become more and more multi-faceted with time. What is the one thing that you think the media has portrayed most accurately, in regards to your person?
One thing… That’s difficult. You often see politicians and similarly public figures treated very unfavourably by the press, be it for lack of clarity or simply idealistically-driven pettiness. It’s how it is, of course, and I wouldn’t change it if I could; but in light of this, I consider myself satisfied overall.
So it would be silly of me to ask what the one thing you think we’ve portrayed most inaccurately is?
Well. Inaccuracy doesn't interest me.
Very to the point, Monsieur Duroc. Can I ask you to pinpoint your most vivid memories, from your childhood.
Studying for my upper secondary. It truly made me realize what you can achieve when you set your mind to it.
Because you missed a few years of school in the period between leaving your biological family and moving into your foster home, isn’t that right?
Yes, exactly.
How was it, then? To be in foster care?
Very different. I’m not sure what you’re asking - it was better, obviously, for what I wanted to do at the time. Things were more easily available, money wasn’t an issue anymore. And of course, having the support of my surroundings was a great help.
All things that you’d lacked in your biological family, I imagine?
I think they did what they could at the time, too.
You were only ten when you left, so having re-established a relation to your younger sister… Was it difficult to be faced with your shared history again or was it a relief to realise that she’d done well for herself too?
Not as such. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Regate. Past is past - if you can’t move beyond it, you may as well bury yourself and be done with it.
Your sister is living in a lesbian relationship and you made yourself quite noticeable on both a political and public level when addressing this openly at your first media-covered event together. Since then, the Centre-Democrats have adopted a relatively tolerant view on LGBT issues overall. Do you believe that Luxembourg should truly move past this differentiation, with your Catholic foundation?
Certainly. Tolerance doesn’t have to be as expensive as many critics make it out to be. Besides. (He chuckles in the face of the otherwise serious subject matter.) This is the 21st century, isn’t it? Personal opinion or faith is one thing. But politically we really can’t afford to fall behind.
Mr. Europe especially can’t, I’m sure. Monsieur Duroc, it's obvious that you like your pace to be fast and furious. Do you still have that motorcycle of yours?
Oh yes. I recently had it re-painted, actually. Scratched it the other day, it was very unfortunate.
Were you taking a drive with your… friend?
Friend? You mean my security guard?
No, I meant… You may have heard of the Mystery Man theory.
I don’t think so?
Well. The conclusions aren’t always the same, but since the mysterious appearance of your best man and certain… observations… several journalists have wondered about the identity of this man that they keep spotting you with. As well as the nature of… your relationship.
That sounds like an interesting theory. (He laughs.) Aside from my wife, my only source of consistent company is my security guards. My best man is a childhood acquaintance. We see each other now and then; politics don’t leave much free time, sadly.
And back to Mireille. You mentioned her intellect as the asset that initially attracted you to her... She’s a specialist in Luxembourgian literature and linguistics. Tell me, does she ever help you write your speeches?
No, I wouldn’t do that to her.
You make it sound like a chore, Monsieur Duroc. Barrault was well-known for his engaging speeches. Is it a part of political leadership that you find less interesting?
I'm referring to the amounts of revisions she'd have to make on my French.
Oh. Was France the setting of your first introduction?
I really can't remember. I've known the Barrault family for many years.
In your wedding speech you said 5 years. Mireille was 21 at the time.
That sounds about right.
When did you begin your affair?
A few years later, I believe.
I don’t think anyone has ever asked you this directly, but I know we’ve all asked ourselves… Did Barrault know from the beginning?
No.
So when you said in your wedding speech - and I quote: “I will never question your father’s wisdom in refusing to simply let go of you without objections.” He didn’t approve when he found out?
Ah, he had some concerns, like any father. We worked it out.
And this solution… Did it involve the break Mireille and you seemed to take in between the appearance of the scandal pictures and Barrault's untimely death?
We agreed with Philippe that waiting couldn’t hurt.
She was worth the wait? You’ve been married more than 15 years now.
Being married only makes sense to me because of her.
You don’t otherwise consider yourself a big fan of the institution of marriage?
Not on a personal level. Politically, I think we have a duty to support what's left of our traditions.
Do you and your wife discuss politics as a rule or as an exception?
She's the daughter of a politician. What do you think?
It is easy to understand how this man continues to lead the political debate, in and outside Parliament. It is not so much the words he says as the attitude with which he presents them to you. In this case, I would have to succumb to this talent as well and I apologise beforehand.
Of course, of course. And you’re both magicians with words, oui?
Come now, Mademoiselle. You know what it's like.
Your wife deals with language on a very theoretical level in comparison to you. Do your approaches ever overlap?
I don’t think so. Perhaps in our overall perception of the world - but in a practical sense? No.
That’s very direct, isn’t it? Have you ever said something you’ve regretted?
Haven't we all? I don't remember anything specific - when you talk as much as I do, you're bound to make mistakes from time to time.
Nothing specific… You couldn’t mention one thing you’ve said to your wife that you would take back given the chance?
Of course I could. But I don’t think it matters anymore, especially not to the public.
About ten years back, it raised great public debate when Mireille chose to be sterilised. It was quickly emphasised that it was a mutual decision, but do you ever personally regret not having children?
(With a slight grimace. Uncomfortable.) Ah, no. I don’t think I’d make a great parent.
Why is that? Your wife and yourself have always been the embodiment of a functional, modern relationship.
Certainly. It’s not about our relationship; but we’ve both had questionable role models.
The old story about a tense relation to the in-laws… How would you describe your relation to your mother-in-law?
(He smiles very thinly.) Traditional.
And how do you think your relation to Barrault would have been, in the role of son-in-law? If he’d lived to walk Mireille down the aisle?
I hope it would have lived up to his expectations.
What would your own expectations have been?
(The pause draws out. Perhaps unintentionally.) Philippe was nothing if not generous. Diplomatic to a fault. But no man would want to share what I have, no matter the nature of the relation. I can’t say things would have been uncomplicated; we didn’t agree on everything professionally either and in comparison, the private sphere is so much harder to navigate.
With an answer like that, I imagine you wouldn’t all have lived together in the family mansion in Boulaide, Italian-style.
(A chuckle.) Probably not.
Which leads us to my next question… When you were younger, you seemed to spend a lot of time in Italy… What would you consider your favourite vacation spot overall?
Seoul.
Where you and Mireille spent a majority of your honeymoon, right? I still remember your Facebook update with that charming picture… Asia has your interest?
How do you mean?
Well. You have just told us that you prefer Korea, but you’ve spent time in both China and Japan too… Do both you and your wife enjoy Asian culture?
We do. But Seoul in particular - for its spirit. The pace of the city is very refreshing.
Very different from Luxembourg City. What would you say is your favourite spot in Luxembourg, Monsieur Duroc? And we won’t hear of Parliament.
(At that, he laughs out loud.) Too difficult, Mademoiselle. I really can’t.
Luxembourg is a melting pot of neighbouring cultures, French amongst them. Which cuisine do you prefer?
I have a fondness for traditional, Luxembourgian food.
That is basically a mix of German schnitzels and French foie gras, right?
(Offence obviously taken when his eyes narrow.) I’m sure the French in particular can understand the value of multi-cultural enrichment.
In 2012 you were the victim of an assassination attempt led by a group of Nigerian citizens. Has this changed your views on the Africa issue?
Not at all. (And he remains attractive even with a smirk like the one forming on his lips.) Entire nations can’t be made to suffer because my shoulder hurts when the temperature drops below zero.
The incident hasn’t had any other lasting effects on your life?
Such as?
Occasional uncertainty or even paranoia? Overprotectiveness of Mireille? Other psychological scars?
The year following the incident, perhaps. But it’s a long time ago.
You grew up in the 80s which was quite an intense decade politically. Out of all the ‘main events’ from the 80s… Which one do you recall most distinctively?
It’s a toss-up between the political reign of Margaret Thatcher or the collapse of the Eastern block, including the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Incentives to enter politics yourself?
No, I've never needed incentive.
You’ve always wanted to be a politician?
I’ve always wanted to set my mark on the world.
For the glory or for the achievement of change?
(With a smile.) Both.
I have to say that I’m pretty impressed with your honesty, Monsieur Duroc. Glory and change… You couldn’t imagine yourself doing anything else?
Well. I'm a business man first.
You worked for your foster father’s firm some time before joining the Centre-Democratic youth party. Where do you think you’d been now, if you’d pursued that path?
Mm. Does it matter?
It’s not something you like to think about in greater depth?
Things that didn't happen? No.
Fine. We’ll return to reality, then. How do you like your coffee?
Black.
I hear you like espresso.
Yes, especially in the mornings and during late-night meetings.
All that talk… Most of us would get tired long before you do, I’m sure. What sort of music do you listen to?
Aside from my wife's occasional humming, nothing.
Mireille sings?
Beautifully.
That’s very charming, Monsieur Duroc. Sorry about my frankness, but… If you had to describe your sex life and ‘good’ was barred… Let’s hear it.
(His eyes reveal nothing which is quite revealing in itself. His pause adds to the picture.) … Are you serious?
You don’t have to go into great detail unless you want to. Just keep it honest.
I think we should go back to talking about the Berlin Wall.
Well. A small detour, to start out gently. What kind of underwear do you use?
Really now. (Sigh.) The normal, boring kind.
And is your sex life boring as well?
Of course not!
Because of you or… perhaps more to do with Mireille?
It takes two, doesn’t it?
Sure it’s a shared effort, but a lot comes down to the individual, I’d say. Do you have any favourite part? Of her, I mean. Her body.
I'm sure I'm not too different from most other men in this regard. (Getting up, he fishes out a pack of cigarettes. Obviously ready for a break.) Excuse me.
Of course.
There is an interlude as Jean Louis retires to the veranda outside, smoking a fair few cigarettes and making an impressive amount of calls. We have caught hold of a busy man and one who seems very unwilling to loosen his hold on the reigns. Soon, however, he returns. Allowing us to continue the interview on a completely different note.
There’s not really a thread to pick up, so we’ll start somewhere new… Please describe yourself in three words.
Ambitious. Driven. (Slight pause.) And good-looking.
This interview is all about honesty, so I won’t be a liar and disagree, but really now… I’d have replaced one of the two first with ‘cocky’, Monsieur Duroc. Very cocky.
(He raises an eyebrow.) You're not the first to say so.
I’m not surprised. What characteristic do you yourself consider your greatest weaknesses?
My atrocious handwriting.
We’ve all seen your signature at some point… What about your greatest strengths? What are they?
My character traits, Mademoiselle.
You’ll need to narrow that down a bit. Pick three.
I just did.
Now you’re just toying with me. You mentioned earlier that Mireille is… older than you in all other aspects but the physical… Would you call yourself playful? Childish even?
Childish, maybe, if I'm to believe what others have said.
You’re leading us right back to the age questions. At this age, you’re still a man in his prime. Are you slowly discovering the advantages of having passed the 30 and 40 milestones?
(He shrugs it off.) I've never been all that focused on the passing of years.
Age means experience. Is there any one particular happy experience that stands out in your memory?
Proposing to Mireille.
Your engagement was officially announced early December, only a month before your wedding date. When did the proposal take place?
On her birthday.
That’s very romantic! Was the proposal itself of the romantic kind too?
Romantic... I think so.
Monsieur Duroc, you’re being very uncooperative. Details, please.
(Chuckle.) But I don't know what to tell you. We went out and had dinner. Then, I proposed. It really wasn't very dramatic.
Really? Hmm. We’ll move on. What is your favourite quote?
(There’s a pause.) “But though empires, like all the other works of men, have all hitherto proved mortal, yet every empire aims at immortality.”
I don’t think that’s one I’ve heard before. Where is it from?
The Wealth of Nations, Mademoiselle. By Adam Smith.
Ah. I believe it’s one of the basic works in use at the university, right? Where did you get it from?
I've owned many versions of it. (With a smile.) The one I like the best, I got from Philippe.
I think I remember some mention of it when you were appointed Foreign Minister the second time… Am I remembering this correctly?
(The charming smile freezes and his expression hardens.) Yes. Yes, right before...
I’m not a Luxembourgian, but even I remember where I was when I heard the news of State Minister Barrault’s tragic accident. Not to be insensitive, but what was your first reaction when learning of his death?
I don't remember. You must understand - the weeks following his accident went by in a haze. There was a vacuum. Too many things undone and chaos everywhere, within people and politics both. Those of us who knew how to proceed… we had a responsibility to move on as quickly as possible. Since Luxembourg itself had come to a very natural stop. That’s what I remember thinking; that such a thing couldn’t mean an end to his achievements and that the country needed a safe, well-functioning basis from which to grieve.
Because Luxembourg seems to always have been very attached to its political front figures as well as the Grand Ducal family. Barrault had become part of Luxembourg’s image in the rest of Europe, hadn’t he? And… Inwardly, however, what do you think makes up the Luxembourgian's national identity? This is a question I know that your wife has spent a lot of time on…
Perseverance. The will to navigate between tradition and progress without tipping the scales.
Inspired by your motto, perhaps? Forgive my pronunciation, but… “Mir wëlle bleiwe wat mir sinn”.
Yes. A necessary approach to life when you’re landlocked under Luxembourg’s conditions.
Is this your favourite saying or do you have another favourite proverb?
No, I don't need sayings to qualify my life or my choices.
At this point, I’m sure neither myself nor our readers are all that surprised… Life choices. I’ll return to the ‘what ifs’ even though you don’t like that. What would you have studied in university, if you’d gotten around to it?
Political economy.
In every tongue, I imagine… How many languages do you actually speak?
Fluently?
Not necessarily. Count those you can get by in - you know, for everyday use.
For everyday use... Luxembourgish, French, German, English, Italian and about ten sentences of Russian.
Do you consider yourself cultural? You’ve occasionally sponsored art exhibits by your sister’s partner and more recently, you’ve financed the B. Prideux Tanzhaus…
I'm... moderately cultural. It's not my forté, let's leave it at that.
We’re drawing to a close… Recommend one attraction in Luxembourg to the readers.
The old centre of Luxembourg City, overall.
Could we arrange a reader contest where the winner will get their picture taken with you in front of the Grand Ducal Palace?
Sure.
So. Last question. Jean Louis Duroc, who do you consider your biggest role model?
I believe strongly in a person’s individual, original approach to life. If you must model yourself on others, so be it; but eventually, it’s still you and no one else. Your responsibility and your choice to act or remain stagnant. Just like I won’t credit my mistakes to others, my victories, in the end, belong to me. So while certain people hold my utmost admiration, I have no actual role models and find the very idea superfluous.
With this, a conversation spanning over five consecutive hours comes to an end. On my behalf, many cups of tea drunk - a few cappuccinos. On his, an undetermined count of cigarette packets emptied and espresso swallowed down like water. Jean Louis Duroc has worked through meetings like these for decades, whereas the rest of the world can hardly keep up with him at his slowest pace. The living room hasn’t changed, but the impersonality of the white walls and black couch has turned into familiarity for me and the two photographers. This man whom very few know has built his home here and we’ve been allowed to make it ours for the duration of 100 questions.
~