The malaise is growing among the mayors of France. The day after the death of Signes Jean-Mathieu Michel, overthrown by a van whose occupants he wanted to verbalize, the Senate Law Commission announced the launch of a consultation with all mayors to study the risks. which they face in the performance of their duties. For Vanik Berberian, president of the Association of Rural Mayors of France and invited Wednesday of Europe 1, the development of these incivilities is due in particular to the fact that "the function of the mayor has deteriorated over time".
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"These incivilities have increased and evolved" in recent years, he says. "We realize that the general interest is less and less perceived by the citizens, and that can provoke dramas". And to evoke "people who come to the town hall to solve personal problems, and who have a little tendency to look at the five meters of pavement in front of their house". If the death of an elected official remains obviously "an exceptional case", the president of the Association of the rural mayors evokes revenge "anonymous letters, insults, tags on the houses, spittle".
"It becomes less interesting to assume the role of mayor"
According to him, these new incivilities are explained in particular by "a form of incapacity to recognize the function of mayor, which has deteriorated over time". In question, laws passed during the previous five-year period and which "discharge the mayors of their competences", as well as "the difficulties of means and endowments". "It becomes less interesting to assume the role of mayor," says Vanik Berberian today.
Returning to the consultation launched by the Senate, Vanik Berberian believes that "it is good to make an inventory". But, he warns immediately, "we must find answers quickly". Thus, the upcoming renewal of the status of elected officials "is expected by many", as well as the "revalorization of the mayor".