Indre-et-Loire: the prefect sacked for opposing construction on a protected site

Clément Bargain, edited by Ophélie Artaud 2:19 p.m., December 28, 2022

A dismissal that provokes indignation.

That of the prefect of Indre-et-Loire, Marie Lajus.

On December 7, the executive terminated his functions, without notice or reassignment, at least at the present time.

The prefect would have been pushed out for opposing a construction project in a protected area.

A project that went against the Climate and Resilience Law

There is no official reason from Place Beauvau.

But for

, there is no doubt that the prefect was sacked following pressure exerted by local elected officials for having enforced town planning law in a real estate project case: the construction of a start-up incubator. in the middle of a non-constructible wooded area, located right next to a castle classified as a historic monument, in Reugny, near Tours.

The prefect opposed this project, believing that it went against the Climate and Resilience Law.

A refusal that would have motivated his dismissal.

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An incomprehensible decision for Socialist Senator Nicole Bonnefoy.

"It's worrying on several counts. It is enough for a few people in close proximity to a minister to be able to obtain the head of a prefect or a prefect. It is not at all satisfactory and it also concerns me in the sense of the law, since it is the application of the Climate and Resilience law. When we see that this great law wanted by this government cannot be applied by the prefect who defends the general interest, that raises a lot of questions", says the senator.

With around fifty actors from civil society, civil servants and elected representatives of the territories, the senator signs a column in the newspaper

They express their support for Marie Lajus.

The grievor is still awaiting reassignment to another position.