The full back holds a special place on the rugby field. His position keeps him away from the scrum, giving him the freedom to step forward, disrupt the defense and exploit any opening. With the number 15 on his back, Serge Blanco was the undisputed king of sudden breakthroughs. Now 67, the French rugby legend has channeled that instinct into a new career: politics. In less than four months since announcing his candidacy, he won the mayorship of Biarritz, southwestern France. In the second round of voting, on Sunday, March 22, Blanco (independent centrist, 41.92%) finished ahead of incumbent Mayor Maider Arosteguy (Les Rรฉpublicains, LR, right-wing, 32.21%) and a left and centrist alliance led by Ana Ezcurra (25.87%).
First campaign, first win. Blanco had always sworn never to get involved in politics, but he has already lived many lives: machinist at Dassault Aviation, sales representative for Pernod Ricard, ambassador for a clothing brand and manager of a thalassotherapy center. The son of a railway crossing guard and a Venezuelan police officer (who died before Blanco was 2), he made the most of his sporting fame. In 1989, the full back at Biarritz Olympique (“BO,” his only ever club) turned down an offer from centrist Mayor Bernard Marie to appear on his list alongside his daughter, Michรจle Alliot-Marie.
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