Lyon (AFP)
Grégory Doucet, a 46-year-old humanitarian executive, became the first environmental mayor to direct the town hall of Lyon on Saturday, receiving the tricolor scarf from the hands of Gérard Collomb, during a municipal council under the sign of appeasement between opponents politicians.
"I will spare neither my energy nor my determination to be worthy of the confidence which is thus granted to me", declared after having removed his mask the new mayor of Lyon, the only candidate declared during a council meeting exceptionally behind closed doors under the gilding of a large hall in the Town Hall.
This installation session, very serene between fierce opponents of the municipal - "the time is not to cross swords," stressed the elected republican Etienne Blanc -, was somewhat overshadowed by the absence of ten elected of the majority, placed in the fortnight following the contamination of one of them at Covid-19.
Mr. Collomb clarified at the outset that the prefecture had decided that there was no need to postpone the council. Covid forces, he did not pass the scarf to his successor, but simply gave it to him.
Handsome player in his last outing as a councilor despite his stinging defeat on June 28, the outgoing mayor addressed to elected environmentalists his "warmest congratulations".
"Even if the participation was extremely low, your victory is broad and without discussion, and testifies to the concerns of our fellow citizens and of the youngest" on the future of the planet, he estimated.
After a few words without resentment for his opponents and detractors, he wanted to thank the collaborators and elected officials with whom he worked, ensuring that Lyon had "given meaning" to his life.
Then, addressed to the new majority, the Lyonnais baron issued a final warning: "Let us follow your convictions, but always favoring the general interest of Lyonnaises and Lyonnais".
© 2020 AFP