Municipal in Marseille: the name of the new mayor in the hands of the alliance game

The head of the Printemps Marseillais list, Michèle Rubiola, topped the municipal elections in Marseille but there is no guarantee that she will be designated mayor of the city. Christophe SIMON / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

The Marseillais should soon know the name of their future mayor. It is this Saturday July 4 that the 101 all new municipal councilors meet to designate the successor of Jean-Claude Gaudin. Neither the union list of the left, the Marseille Spring led by the ecologist Michèle Rubirola, who won 42 seats, nor the right and its 39 elected officials, have managed to forge the necessary alliances to be sure of the carry.

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Le Printemps marseillais hoped to be able to count on the eight seats won by Samia Ghali's list. But the former socialist claimed the post of first assistant. For Michèle Rubiola, there was no question of giving in to such blackmail, but she continues to call Samia Ghali to the rally.

On the right, we thought we had found the solution. The head of the list Martine Vassal has given way to the deputy Guy Teissier, 75 years old, thus obtaining the support of another LR, the dissident Bruno Gilles who has three seats. The right then obtained as many municipal councilors as the left; however in the event of equality, it is the dean of the candidates who wins.

►Also read: Municipalities in Marseille: withdrawal of Martine Vassal in favor of deputy LR Guy Teissier

Yes but here it is, one of the elected officials from Bruno Gilles' list has chosen to join Samia Ghali's camp, while another Martine Vassal running mate, Lionel Royer-Perreaut, has also decided to run, to denounce what he calls "  an alliance strategy with the National Front  " on the part of Guy Tessier.

As for the RN which has won nine seats, it calls for "  blocking the most sectarian extreme left  " without clearly taking sides with the right. A right that officially refuses the votes of the far right. Martine Vassal rejects any alliance with the National Rally and will ask, if the votes of the RN allowed to elect a candidate from his camp, "  that he resign immediately,  " she said in a statement released Thursday evening. However, this Saturday morning's vote will take place by secret ballot, everything is possible.

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  • 2020 municipal elections
  • France
  • French politics