- At the Barcarès, Alain Ferrand, the outgoing mayor, and Joëlle Iglesias-Ferrand, his wife and former mayor of the town, run against each other.
- For 25 years, over their judicial convictions, the couple succeeded each other at the town hall of the seaside resort of Pyrénées-Orientales.
- "It's a bit as if Isabelle Balkany appeared against Patrick Balkany in Levallois-Perret," said freelance journalist Jacques Molénat.
It is a charming Catalan village of 6,000 inhabitants in winter, a bustling seaside resort in summer. With a sandy beach, a marina, a market with Provençal accents on Sundays, and a funfair. A seaside resort, what.
But the municipal campaign is not typical of Barcarès, in the Pyrénées-Orientales. Among the three lists in the running, there is that of Alain Ferrand (various right), the outgoing mayor, and that of Joëlle Iglesias-Ferrand (various right)… his wife, who has already been elected head of the town . Both, still married, would have decided to reconquer the city, each on their side. It is rumored in town that they have separated, but nothing official.
"This election will not be like the others"
The outgoing mayor of Barcarès, who applied on February 20, refuses any interview, learned 20 Minutes from the town hall, then from his campaign team.
However, in a letter to the inhabitants, he briefly mentioned his wife's candidacy. “This election will not be like the others, recognizes Alain Ferrand, in his missive. I learned that the one who is still my wife decided to run against me (…) She preferred to let go of her political family, her former running mate, rather than join them. It is his choice and it is his freedom. I will not comment on this. Let no one count on me to slide on the path of controversy. I will simply ensure strict respect for my private life and that of my daughters. "
A primary, which failed
Joëlle Iglesias-Ferrand, who was the first of the two to declare herself, last September, did not respond to our requests either. On his Facebook profile, in July, the former mayor of the city wrote that he had proposed "an internal election, a kind of primary", which decides between her and him. "The proposal failed," she continues.
But these two have not always been cold. For 25 years, they succeeded each other at the town hall, over their convictions. Alain Ferrand was elected mayor of Barcarès for the first time in 1995. The ballot was finally canceled: he had offered a paella to the voters, which justice equated with a purchase of votes. He is standing for re-election.
Re-elected in the first round since 1995
But in 1999, justice condemned him to three years of ineligibility, because of irregularities in the management of casinos, of which he was one of the most flourishing entrepreneurs in the South. His wife succeeds him then. She will be re-elected twice, before being condemned in turn to five years ineligibility: she had dredged the entrance to the port of Barcarès to facilitate the passage of the boat of a loved one. We are in 2011, and this time, it's Alain Ferrand who takes his seat. He will be re-elected in 2014, supported by his wife.
But despite their legal troubles, they have always retained a strong popularity with the locals. Since 1995, they have always been elected in the first round. So when they come face to face, the inhabitants seem stunned. " One against the other ? “, Alarmed a voter, on the Facebook of the mayor. "I admit that it will be very difficult to choose between you and Joëlle," says another. "We will always support you or Alain," wrote a resident on the profile of Joëlle Iglesias-Ferrand.
"A bit like Isabelle Balkany running against Patrick Balkany"
Virginie Brodin (without label), the third candidate running for the municipal elections, concedes: yes, this campaign is "amazing". "I try not to get into the hallway speeches, I remain very careful about the marital status of Mr. and Mrs. [Ferrand], says the head of the list. Everyone is wondering, even if I don't flaunt it. These are two candidates, but we all have mistrust, in the streets of Barcarès. Few believe in two different entities. "
Our Municipal File 2020
Freelance journalist Jacques Molénat, who has been following regional political news for more than 40 years, has written about the Ferrands. And this duel in the sun surprises him a lot. "It surprises me, a little as if Isabelle Balkany appeared against Patrick Balkany at Levallois-Perret," he notes. Until now, they have been totally accomplices, almost fused. They have long succeeded each other at the town hall. The mechanics were well oiled. So, from Joëlle Iglesias-Ferrand or Alain Ferrand, who will have custody of the voters?
Politics
Municipal 2020: Confined candidates, avoided handshakes, postponement requests ... The coronavirus disrupts the campaign
Television
Municipales 2020: "Monitoring local elections is essential for a chain that defines itself as the chain of politics", explains Elizabeth Martichoux
- Perpignan
- Languedoc-Roussillon
- municipal