The mayor of the village of Péronne-en-Mélantois, Damien Castelain, was re-elected president of the metropolis of Lille. - G. Durand / 20 Minutes

  • Damien Castelain was re-elected, this Thursday, president of the metropolis of Lille (MEL), during the community council dedicated to the nomination.
  • In the first round, the mayor of the village of Péronne-en-Mélantois collected 121 votes from the 188 community councilors.

Without surprise. Damien Castelain (SE) was re-elected, this Thursday, president of the metropolis of Lille (MEL), during the community council dedicated to the nomination. In the first round, the mayor of Péronne-en-Mélantois (900 inhabitants) collected 121 votes from the 188 community councilors.

He will therefore remain at the head of the MEL for another six years after a vote which presented little suspense and which, once again, dynamited the left / right divide.

Gérald Darmanin absent

Indeed, Damien Castelain, rather marked in the center right, was elected with the votes of the left including the socialist group led by the mayor (PS) of Lille, Martine Aubry. While one of his opponents, the mayor of Mons-en-Barœul, Rudy Elegeest, known for his commitment to the center left, mainly obtained the votes of the right (46 votes).

Rudy Elegeest, one of the unsuccessful candidates for the presidency of the Lille Metropolis. - G. Durand / 20 Minutes

The third candidate, Pauline Ségard, municipal councilor (EELV) in Villeneuve d'Ascq, obtained the 11 green votes. Nine elected officials voted white. Note the absence of a major elected official: the mayor (DVD) of Tourcoing and new Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin.

"I have a thought for my family who also suffered attacks that were intended for me," said Damien Castelain, in his inauguration speech, referring to his indictment in a case of passive corruption, related to Grand Stade.

A report from the Audit Chamber in question

The election was also punctuated by a suspension of the session linked to another case which risks poisoning the president of the MEL. In a report posted online this Wednesday morning, the regional chamber of accounts pin the management of the metropolis on the choice of "Biotope" as headquarters, considering it as "the most expensive".

Several elected officials asked, in vain, that the presentation of this report be included in the agenda. It will be during the next council which will set the tone for this second mandate, announced as less consensual than the previous one.

Creation of an ethics committee?

Thus, the 20 vice-presidents (4 women for 16 men) elected in the process, all come from the political groups which voted for Damien Castelain. Alain Bernard, mayor (SE) of Bouvines and close to the president, keeps the finances, as does Martine Aubry who keeps the influence. Bernard Gérard, mayor (LR), will take care of the roads, Gérard Caudron (DVG) of the development and Sébastien Leprêtre (DVD) of public transport.

It remains to be seen whether the ethics committee, proposed by the mayor (PS) of Lomme, Roger Vicot, will become reality. "Several members of our assembly are subject to legal proceedings," he said. However, we must restore confidence to the voters who deserted the ballot boxes. "

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  • Municipal
  • Lille
  • Elections
  • Gérald Darmanin
  • President
  • Martine Aubry