France: a new mayor elected in Saint-Brevin after the shock resignation of Yannick Morez

The first deputy of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, Dorothée Pacaud, was elected mayor of this commune of Loire-Atlantique Friday evening, June 9 after the shattering resignation of Yannick Morez, targeted by threats and violence from the far right.

Dorothée Pacaud, in Saint-Brevin, West France, June 9, 2023. AFP - SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS

Text by: RFI Follow

Advertising

Read more

This 45-year-old teacher, without label, becomes the first woman to take the helm of this seaside resort of 14,800 inhabitants. His predecessor had resigned with a bang after months of tension over the relocation of a reception centre for asylum seekers (CADA).

The city council meeting, early Friday evening, was held in a somewhat tense atmosphere. A dozen young ultra-right activists appeared in front of the windows of the city council brandishing smoke bombs and shouting "Yesterday Annecy, tomorrow Saint-Brevin", before being pushed back by the gendarmes. These militants were not from the commune, according to the gendarmes.

« 

I was expecting this introduction and I was prepared for it " said Dorothée Pacaud, 45, girded with her tricolor scarf. "However, I am approaching the next three years with great serenity," she added. "I think my predecessor's word has worked high and I am hopeful that I will receive more support.

Continuation of CADA's work

Former DVD mayor Yannick Morez had explained his choice to leave office after the "flagrant" lack of state support since the officialization, at the end of 2021, of the transfer of this center near a school in his commune. He was received, belatedly, by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on 17th May. An attempt to "pick up the pieces", pointed out Le Figaro, in the face of a case that tarnished the image of the government.

>> Read also: In the Headlines: the executive facing the resignation of the mayor of Saint-Brevin

Targeted by threats, the attacks against Yannick Morez had culminated on March 22 in the early morning with the fire of two vehicles of the mayor in front of his home, whose facade had also been hit by the flames while he slept there with his family. During his Senate hearing on May 17, Mr. Morez had stressed that his deputies had also been victims of a smear campaign by the extreme right on the internet.

Since the acceptance of the resignation of the mayor by the prefect, Dorothée Pacaud exercised the function of interim mayor. Questioned by two anti-CADA residents at the end of the city council, she denounced a "scandalous amalgam" with the tragedy of Annecy, stressing that "racism is not a political opinion but a crime". She said that the work of CADA would continue and that it would open as planned at the end of the year.

(and with AFP)

Newsletter Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

Read on on the same topics:

• France
• Immigration
• Racism
• Refugees
• French politics