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Elections 2004. The head of the bar, Gérard Coffinet, 10.000 bottles of champagne in stock

(Archives B2) If he is “part of the furniture”, as described with respect by one of the regulars, Gérard Coffinet is one of the least known characters. Surely the most useful to preserve the necessary good humor in this "Caprice of the gods", the building of the European Parliament in Brussels.

Gégé, as his intimates call him, is quite simply the manager of the bars in Parliament. A mistake on his part, and it is a whole part of the vitality of the deputies, the assistants and the various media present, which goes to shreds. Today, however, is a bit of an unknown. It is the first time, in fact, that an election evening of such importance has been organised. But from there to achieve Gerard's confidence, it would take more.

Sandwiches, refreshments, spirits…” we have stocks for everything he mischievously assures Gérard. In particular a small treasure of some 10 bottles of champagne, kept in an inaccessible place. The only reason for perplexity: how many Irish people will be there? ". The whiskey could then melt quickly…

Nicolas Gros Verheyde
Published in France-Soir June 2004

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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