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Emmanuel Macron in Deols, February 14, 2019. REUTERS / Philippe Wojazer

For his seventh trip as part of the Great Debate, Emmanuel Macron met the mayors of Indre in the village of Gargilesse Dampierre. A meeting where, as in other exchanges, themes related to rurality - medical desertification, mobility, public endowments - were discussed. But this time, the head of state had to respond to more political attacks including from Andre Laignel, the mayor of Issoudun who is also vice-president of the Assembly of mayors of France.

Lack of doctors, maternity, network, trains, subsidized jobs ... in Gargilesse-Dampierre (Indre), Emmanuel Macron again listened Thursday, February 14 the mayors to expose the handicaps of the rural world, before finding business leaders in Déols, north of Chateauroux.

For his first visit during this 7th stage of the "Grand debate", the head of state had not chosen this town of 300 inhabitants by chance. Its mayor, Vanik Berberian, is the president of the Association of Rural Mayors of France (AMRF), which federates some 10,000 politicians of all political stripes. A way to send a message of appeasement to local elected officials, honored by the "Great Debate".

It was without counting the presence and the intervention of André Laignel, vice-president of the Assembly of the rural mayors of France, or Vanik Berberian, the mayor of Gargilesse Dampierre, who had been seduced by Emmanuel's candidacy Macron in the presidential election, but has changed his mind since. Atmosphere:

It is true that after eighteen months of stigmatization of mayors, what have we heard; we were too numerous, my dear colleagues, we were incompetent, we were clientelists. These are words that have been used by members of the government, sometimes by yourself Mr. President.

Passe d'armes between Emmanuel Macron and André Laignel 14/02/2019 - by Valérie Gas Play

The opening of the local stands

This is the new stage of the "Great National Debate". Since Thursday morning, students collect through a questionnaire the grievances of citizens who want to participate in the "Great debate". It was in a post office in Nanterre, in the suburbs of Paris, that the initiative was inaugurated.

People often want to contribute, do not have much time ... There are many ways and they have been quite receptive to the fact that we come to them and show them that they can make their voices heard even if they feel it's too complicated.

Nearly 100 local stands are already planned throughout France until March 15 14/02/2019 - by Stéphane Geneste Play