Was Charles de Gaulle an authoritarian leader?
The notion that I was an 'authoritarian' fundamentally misunderstands the nature of national leadership. My aim was not personal power, but the restoration of France's capacity to govern itself effectively and to assert its rightful place in the world. The institutions of the Fifth Republic were designed to provide stability and decisiveness, essential qualities for a nation emerging from crisis and striving for greatness. Leadership, in my view, is about embodying the collective will of the nation and possessing the strength of conviction to guide it toward its destiny.
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