Bertrand+Delanoe

Bertrand Delanoe was the mayor of Paris from March 25, 2001 to April 5th 2014. On May 30, 1950, Bertrand was born in Tunis, Tunisia. He is mostly famous for being the mayor for many years and was a senator for a while. Lastly, he was in the French National Assembly for 5 years. Before Bertrand was elected, he was unknown to the people. Bertrand was a socialist mayor for 12 years. He was elected once, for a six year term, and was reelected in 2008. People did like Bertrand because he organized unusual events such as Paris Beach. That was a one-day event for people who cannot or do not go on vacation. It od considered a day for everyone to relax. Bertrand was well known because he improved the quality of life. He reduced pollution and cut down traffic within the city. Lastly, he helped create a bike program. You can rent a good bike, and then return it later. The rental bike program in Paris is close to the Divvy Bikes here in Chicago.

On October 5th, 2002, Bertrand Delanoe was almost assassinated during a Paris festival. The assassin was a Muslim immigrant named Azedine Berkane. He stabbed Bertrand in the back. People were very shocked. Even though Bertrand was hurt, he insisted the festival to keep going. So, he went to the hospital and the festival continued as he wished. Two weeks later, Bertrand was released alive and well. Azedine Berkane was sent to a psychiatric hospital. The doctors said he was fine, but he was supposed to go to follow up appointments, but he never showed.

Lastly, in 2005, the Olympic bid was going on to host the Olympics. Bertrand almost had won the bid, but they lost it. Unfortunately, a French person upset people on the Olympic Committee. The person had said "the only worse food than British food is Finnish". It is widely believed to have offended two Finnish members of the International Olympic Committee. That unfortunate comment cost the bid for the 2005 Olympics. Bertrand almost had it.