The environmentalist mayor of Marseille Michèle Rubirola resigned Tuesday for health reasons, after less than six months in office.

A decision that caused the bitterness and disappointment of its voters, questioned by Europe 1 in the streets of the Marseille city.

REPORTAGE

Michèle Rubirola only kept her chair for six months.

The ecologist, the first woman elected mayor of Marseille last June, resigned Tuesday afternoon, citing health reasons.

Michèle Rubirola, who had led to victory a list of union of the left, the Marseille Spring, wanted her first deputy, the Socialist Benoît Payan, to take over.

This rebound, which comes in the midst of a health, social and financial crisis for the second largest city in France, provoked the disappointment of its voters, questioned by Europe 1.

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"It's a masquerade"

After 25 years of reign of Jean-Claude Gaudin (LR), Michèle Rubirola had succeeded in tipping the Phocaean city to the left, thanks to an unprecedented team between EELV, the Socialist Party, the Communist Party and part of the Insoumis.

Five and a half months after his election, it's a cold shower for his voters.

"There was a lot of hope that rested on her. She should not have come forward. When you hold a title as mayor of Marseille, you have to assume it until the end," laments a Marseillais.

"It's a masquerade, she wasted time. We don't see her much and she didn't seem very comfortable in this role," he continues.

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"The rumor was circulating in Marseille"

Since her debut as mayor, Michèlele Rubirola has withdrawn on several occasions, especially for health reasons.

Uncomfortable in front of the cameras, by her own admission, she often gave way to her first deputy, the socialist Benoît Payan.

"The rumor was circulating in Marseille, it was written in advance. By her own admission, the costume was a little too big for her. She was the one topped the list, but everyone knew it was Benoît Payan who was in charge ", analyzes another Marseillais.

Benoît Payan had notably assured the interim of Michèle Rubirola in September, when the councilor was absent for several weeks due to a surgical operation.

The ephemeral mayor of Marseille has expressed his wish that his succession be assured by his first deputy, but it will not be easy.

Because Benoît Payan is not unanimous within the Marseille Spring, in particular because of his socialist label.