France: the mayor of Marseille, Michèle Rubirola, resigns
The mayor of Marseille Michèle Rubirola during the ceremonies of July 14, 2020 in the city of Marseille.
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Less than six months after his election at the head of Marseille, Michèle Rubirola resigns.
She wants to give way to her number 2 Benoit Payan.
A choice dictated by health reasons.
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This mayor's chair, did Michèle Rubirola really want it?
A neophyte in politics, this 64-year-old doctor had dislodged the old lion Jean-Claude Gaudin.
The Marseille Spring, its left-wing coalition, had managed to beat the right, after 25 years of reign over the Marseille city.
But Michèle Rubirola never really entered the costume of mayor.
Health problems last summer finally forced him to take a step back.
“
There are long-term specialists and emergency physicians in medicine.
I am of the first category.
And that's the second we need in Marseille.
And it is for these reasons that I decided to quit my functions as mayor,
”announced the city councilor.
Faced with a triple crisis, health, economic and social, Michèle Rubirola recognizes that the pressure, the workload was too strong.
It was his first deputy, the socialist Benoit Payan, who - in fact - very often took center stage.
Michèle Rubirola wants to officially give him the keys to the city.
"
We are a duo and I hope that our duo continues but is reversed and that Benoît becomes mayor
", proposed Michèle Rubirola.
Nothing is done yet.
The vote at the next city council on Monday will be decisive.
The unhappy candidates
for the municipal elections in March intend to replay the match.
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