It's a decision they did not expect. The residents of Levallois-Perret are in shock after Friday's conviction of Mayor Patrick Balkany to four years in prison and ten years of ineligibility. The Levalloisians are also surprised by the conviction of the first deputy, Isabelle Balkany, to three years in prison without a warrant.
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If the surprise is great for many people, the fear of losing a mayor who was doing a lot for his city now interferes in their minds. Interviewed by Europe 1, Magalie, a resident shows his anger at losing the mayor, in office for thirty years accumulated. "For all Levallois-Perret, it's a terrible news that is not necessarily justified," she said, describing a "city really saddened" by this decision.
"He did a lot of things for us, unfortunately we lose everything, everything falls apart!" She continues. Magalie also expresses her concern about the replacement of Patrick Balkany: "I hope that his success will ensure exactly what we had so far."
For her part, Laurence believes that Patrick Balkany served as an example for justice. "I think we wanted to cut the grass under his feet ... The villa Pamplemousse, it belongs to whom I do not care Money does not care What I look at it's how he made Levallois and how we inhabitants are treated, "regrets Laurence.
A good mayor under justice
In the streets of Levallois-Perret, the inhabitants are not all of this opinion. Pascale admits that Patrick Balkany was a good mayor but that justice has made a decision that must be respected: "Everyone has benefited from what he has done. it's something else, he has to pay for what he did, it's normal for him to be imprisoned, "says Pascale, who will" regret it as mayor ".
In front of the town hall, a cowardly resident smiling: "Good wind! That's it, we may finally be able to change air."