The President of the Republic had invited a little more than 2,000 mayors at the Elysee, Wednesday, November 22, on the sidelines of the Congress of Mayors of France. For two hours, the head of state exchanged with them. About thirty mayors of Ille-et-Vilaine were invited. They deliver their impressions.
Évelyne Lefeuvre, Mayor of Guignen
"I had the chance to speak with the President of the Republic. We had a moment of exchange with him, after his speech, and I expressed my dissatisfaction on this subject. He told me that he would try to help us on this issue. "
"His speech was very good. It was someone who seemed to me open and very attentive. He had announced that he would take the time to pass in the assembly and to exchange with the mayors. I did not really believe it at first, but finally, he really came to meet us. He does not ignore the problems we have. "
Hervé Letort, Mayor of Saint-Erblon
"The President of the Republic chose" his land "by receiving home rather than coming to the Congress of Mayors. The curiosity to go to the Elysee Palace blunted the questions. The president has nevertheless engaged a direct dialogue for two hours and, as often, brilliantly. It defended its commitments from a macro point of view on all the subjects although the impacts of the governmental policy are of a great heterogeneity on the territories.
He pleaded for a differentiation and, although it is a challenge, it is what we expect on our territory of Reindeer metropolis. This may be a way of correcting its current policy that has led to a decline in all decentralization policies for more than thirty years. It should not be forgotten that local elected officials are leading players in the Republic. "
Vincent Minier, Mayor of Chanteloup
"I am convinced that the President of the Republic wants to give pledges of good will to the mayors. In particular, on the subject of the abolition of the housing tax which is a good measure for the purchasing power of the French. But, we mayors, we need clarification on the mode of compensation: who will bring this compensation to the communes? Will it take into account the demographic evolution? The President of the Republic is willing to be a pedagogue but we need concrete answers ... We are clearly lacking in precision. "
Bernard Marboeuf, Mayor of Lécousse and President of Fougères agglomeration
"It was neither stuffy nor prefabricated. He was very skilled in his way of doing things, a bit like a schoolmaster. We felt a President listening, who knows his issues and the problem of local elected officials, which is quite surprising in a head of state. He bluffed more than one. Even on form, he was relaxed. Now, we wait to see. "
Marielle Muret-Baudouin, Mayor of Noyal-sur-Vilaine
"I found the President listening. He answered all the questions, our concerns seemed to interest him. The future will tell us if this exchange will bear fruit. We, the mayors of small municipalities we need legibility on the financial aspect ... For example we still do not know how will be compensated the tax of dwelling ... "
Murielle Douté-Bouton, Mayor of Plélan-le-Grand
"I am very careful. I think the President has tried to reassure everyone. But the awkwardness of the last few months will not fade away right away. I expect a better consideration of the opinion of local authorities Region, departments, communes ... The President has done his best to gather everyone under the banner Republican. The operation "com" is successful, the debate was interesting and he answered the questions of the mayors. He knows his files well. Basically, I'm waiting to see more ... Because in our rural territories, we live the impacts and inconsistencies of the decisions made. "
Dominique Denieul, mayor of Piré-sur-Seiche and president of Pays de Châteaugiron community
Dominique Denieul declined the invitation. "Last year, Macron did not make a speech, it was just a selfie moment ... it disgusted me. This year, at Élysée, the questions are chosen and well orchestrated. The President stays the course and does not hear our demands. "
"Besides, it's not up to us mayors to go to the President, it's up to him to come to the mayors' congress. In previous presidencies, the Presidents came to us. We discussed and gave our opinions. I am worried about the lack of consideration of the territory. It seems to me that the mayors and mayors have a foot in the communes. They were anchored in their territories. Now the non-cumulation of mandates removes those who vote the laws from real concerns. They are disconnected from reality. "