(in a sharp, observational tone, with a hint of cheekiness, à la Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans)
Ah, the lovely city of Dijon, where the mustard flows like the Seine and the politics are as rich as the local cuisine. And now, Nathalie Koenders, a woman with a name that sounds like a French attempt at a Germanic surname, has become the first female mayor of this fair city. Bravo, Nathalie! You’ve joined the ranks of the illustrious few female mayors of cities with at least 160,000 inhabitants in France. I’m sure it’s a real thrill-ride being one of five women in a country of, what, 67 million people? (wink)
But seriously, folks, Nathalie Koenders is no stranger to the world of politics. A former high-level kayaker (because, France), she’s been paddling through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and later, as a deputy in the city of Dijon. And, as the saying goes, “well-behaved women seldom make history,” but Nathalie’s been making waves, even if it’s just by being a woman in a position of power. (chuckles)
Now, let’s talk about the local economic players, shall we? They’re all aflutter about Nathalie’s ascension to the mayoral throne. Jean-Philippe Porcherot, president of MEDEF 21, is thrilled, saying Nathalie has all the skills to continue the work done in recent years. (I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that she’s been doing the job already, as deputy mayor.) He’s also keen on mobility, because, you know, getting around Dijon without a car is like trying to find a decent cup of coffee in a French café – a bloody miracle.
And then there’s Denis Favier, president of Shop in Dijon, who’s all about promoting local commerce. He wants Nathalie to be more flexible with opening hours, because, apparently, Sundays are the new Saturdays, and people want to shop ’til they drop. (I mean, who doesn’t love a good Sunday shopping spree, am I right?) Oh, and let’s not forget Geoffroy Secula from CPME Côte-d’Or, who’s all about local taxation and making sure SMEs aren’t too heavily burdened. (I’m sure the small business owners of Dijon are just thrilled to have someone looking out for them.)
In conclusion, Nathalie Koenders is the new mayor of Dijon, and everyone’s delighted. She’s got the skills, the experience, and the, ahem, ‘ je ne sais quoi’ to keep Dijon running smoothly. And if she doesn’t, well, there’s always the mustard to fall back on. (wink) Vive la France, and all that rot!
(in a Rowan Atkinson-esque aside) Now, I’m not one to gossip, but I hear François Rebsamen, the outgoing mayor, is going to keep the presidency of the Dijon metropolis. Ah, the classic “I’m not going anywhere, but I’ll just step aside and let someone else do the real work” move. (chuckles) Ah, politics, always a joy to behold!
(in a Ricky Gervais-esque tone) And that’s the news from Dijon, folks! Nathalie Koenders, the new mayor, and all the local bigwigs are thrilled. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence that she’s a woman in a position of power, and not at all a desperate attempt to seem progressive. (wink) Oh, and let’s not forget the mustard. Because, France.
(in a Lee Evans-esque aside) You know, I was thinking, have you ever tried to make mustard from scratch? It’s a real challenge, let me tell you. (laughs) Ah, the things we do for the sake of a good joke…
Here is the rewritten text with added details and rephrased sentences, while maintaining the original content and format:
Nathalie Koenders (PS) becomes the trailblazing first female mayor of Dijon, joining an elite group of women in similar positions in France. Only five women currently hold the mayoral office in cities with over 160,000 inhabitants, including Anne Hidalgo (PS) in Paris, Martine Aubry (PS) in Lille, Johanna Rolland (PS) in Nantes, Jeanne Barseghian (Ecologist) in Strasbourg, and Nathalie Appéré (PS) in Rennes.
The newly elected mayor of Dijon is no stranger to local economic players, boasting a background as a high-level kayaker and executive experience at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Her ascent into politics began when François Rebsamen approached her during the 2008 municipal elections, leading to her first deputy position, focused on commerce, crafts, and the “heart of the city” project. Nathalie Koenders rapidly rose through the ranks, eventually reaching the position of first assistant in 2015.
Local business leaders anticipated this election, considering Nathalie Koenders’ previous interim tenure during François Rebsamen’s 2018 illness, battling cancer. In recent months, she appeared alongside important media events, marking a notable shift. While affirming his “excellent health,” François Rebsamen announced a desire to reduce his schedule, paving the way for Koenders’ transition to mayor.
Boosting the City’s Attractiveness
Côte-d’Or bosses see the continuity of existing projects as a pivotal element, particularly the pursuit of strengthening Dijon’s appeal. “Nathalie Koenders boasts all the necessary skills to uphold the remarkable work undertaken over the past few years,” praises Jean-Philippe Porcherot, MEDEF 21’s president. He underlines the efforts of the preceding administration to fortify the city’s attractiveness, such as improving the urban image quality and creating innovative structures, notably Dijon Bourgogne Invest. A primary challenge, as identified by Porcherot, is improving mobility, which he insists must involve intermodality and enhanced accessibility of industrial zones. “Considerable work remains to address Dijon’s complex transportation climate,” he remarks. He emphasizes the necessity for a collaborative dialogue between businesses and the city administration on this issue. Regarding the environmental transition, Jean-Philippe Porcherot observed Koenders’ apparent strong dedication to this cause. “We strongly encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices, not only for their well-being but also for Dijon’s future prosperity.”
In 2013, Nathalie Koenders, as commerce and crafts delegate, heavily backed the “Shop in Dijon” project to revitalize local businesses, recalls Denis Favier, the current president. Following its creation, the association has implemented numerous actions to promote the sector, including organizing bi-annual clearance sales. Amid challenging periods, such as the Yellow Vest protests and COVID-19 pandemic, the association managed to secure critical funds to aid merchants, ensuring capped commercial rents and targeted assistance for excess inventory. As president of “Shop in Dijon”, Denis Favier anticipates a greater flexibility for retail businesses in the heart of the city, pushing for a more dynamic consumer-driven schedule. “Shops should be allowed to operate on more Sundays – ideally at least 12 days a year – in harmony with evolving consumer habits.” He further expresses expectations regarding enhanced commercial cooperation under Mayor Koenders’ stewardship.
Local Taxation: Key Expectations for MEDEF 21 and Local Business Owners
Geoffroy Secula, head of CPME Côte-d’Or, highlighted crucial points in local business discussions, especially local tax challenges, citing transportation taxes which unduly burden SMEs amid the already tough economic backdrop. CPME and 600 of its affiliated organizations look forward to greater simplification and improved business friendliness, hoping the application process for building permits might become more efficient.
“One top priority remains making headway in favoring the integration of local companies via contracts with the public authorities”, notes Geoffroy Secula, “Fortunately, revamping the public contracts pact sends a strong, modern signal.”
