The small room of the municipal council of Anthisnes was full as an egg this Thursday evening. Nearly three hundred people tried to attend the event organized in support of the imprisoned mayor Marc Tarabella, who will be sixty tomorrow.
Next to the president of the municipal council, an empty place: that of Marc Tarabella. Before the public begins to enter, the president of the CPAS finishes placing nic-nac on a tiered cake placed behind a sign in the name of the imprisoned mayor.
People are slowly entering. The first do not dare to advance towards the center of the room. “Come, come, bring in those who are outside” shouts the president of the municipal council. It’s like being on a bus at rush hour. Two ladies go on all fours behind the council tables. You have to crack the windows to get some air.
The President begins his speech “Marc is in pain. He has been on a mineral tour for a month and a half. It’s good for his health. He is in Anthisnes at least in spirit. He told me of a death.” The president recalls the separation of powers. Marc Tarabella will be sixty tomorrow. The room sings to him “Happy birthday”.
“We are here to support Marc” strikes us a gentleman in his sixties, “our friend Mark”. “Do you know him personally?” “In the town, everyone knows him personally”. An elderly man with an Italian accent warns us against repentance. A lady says to herself “rebellious”. The hall of the communal council of Anthisnes was not large enough. People remained in the corridor, others outside on the steps.