2024-11-20 12:00:00
“I have so much to tell you. I don’t know how you’re going to sort it out. » It was at the end of a summer municipal council, on July 17, after a final battle with the opposition, that Emmanuel François, mayor of Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (Indre-et-Loire), announced his resignation, almost two years before the end of his mandate. “I was actually relieved. It was hard, trying and so frustrating”confides the one who was elected during the 2020 municipal elections, without label. An example illustrating the wave of resignations of city councilors, which is hitting the country, as the Congress of Mayors opened on Tuesday, November 19, in Paris.
Originally, the fifty-year-old had put his career as a general practitioner on hold to hope to change his city through his involvement in politics, for him “breathe a new dynamic”, he said at the time. “The metropolis saw me arrive with a certain desire to change things, a certain purity, I dare say. » Shortly after his resignation, his political entourage described an exhausted and discouraged man, especially after the arson of his medical office in September 2022. But the reasons are much more diverse.
Until the arrival of Mr. François, Saint-Pierre-des-Corps had always been a stronghold of the French Communist Party. The previous mayor, Marie-France Beaufils, reigned there for thirty-seven years (from 1983 to 2020). By succeeding him at the helm of this town of 15,000 souls on the outskirts of Tours, he says he encountered fierce opposition. “We had no particular label except for one person, at MoDem”he explains, accusing the opposition of having “ always passed on » his team like “right-wing” pour “cleave, no doubt”.
Ego, networks, interests
He also discovered a bloodless economy: “In 2021, we are once again voting for an unbalanced budget but with no other choice than to increase taxes. In the end, when I left, we were surplus to requirements. To do this, it will have been necessary to begin to get rid of ruined real estate assets, which had never been maintained”he affirms, convinced that“we must first generate wealth to hope to get residents out of their difficulties.”
Emmanuel François, who says he had to manage municipal agents at the end of their tether, mentions some casting errors within his own municipal team. The changes that were then necessary were painful. “When certain people obtain a mandate as deputy or advisor, they have the impression of gaining ground in life. Risking losing this mandate is a bit like losing your pride, your dignity. »
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What were the main challenges Emmanuel François faced during his tenure as mayor of Saint-Pierre-des-Corps?
**Interview with Emmanuel François, Former Mayor of Saint-Pierre-des-Corps**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Emmanuel. Your recent resignation has sparked quite a conversation. Can you tell us what led to your decision?
**Emmanuel François:** Thank you for having me. It was a mix of exhaustion and frustration. After two years of constant opposition, the pressure became overwhelming. I initially got into politics with the hope of bringing about meaningful change in Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, but the reality was far more challenging than I anticipated.
**Editor:** You mentioned that the political landscape was difficult. Can you elaborate on the nature of the opposition you faced?
**Emmanuel François:** Absolutely. I came into a political environment deeply rooted in tradition, especially considering that my predecessor served for thirty-seven years. The opposition constantly pitted my team against the established order, framing us as “right-wing,” which made it hard for us to connect with our constituents and implement our initiatives.
**Editor:** You’ve cited financial difficulties in your administration as well. How did those issues affect your mandate?
**Emmanuel François:** The economic situation was dire. When I took office, we were already facing an unbalanced budget, which forced us to raise taxes just to keep basic services running. Despite our efforts to address these problems, including divesting from failing properties, we were always on the back foot.
**Editor:** You also mentioned a personal incident that affected you. Can you explain how the arson of your medical office influenced your role as mayor?
**Emmanuel François:** That event was a turning point. It not only physically represented an attack on my personal life but also symbolized the hostility I faced in politics. It left me feeling vulnerable and discouraged, and I realized that my health and well-being had to take priority.
**Editor:** Looking back, what do you feel you could have done differently during your time as mayor?
**Emmanuel François:** Hindsight is always clearer, isn’t it? Perhaps I should have invested more time in building alliances and engaging with the community to create a more inclusive dialogue. But I had such great ambitions, and I wanted to initiate changes quickly. Balancing that urgency with collaboration is something I wish I had done differently.
**Editor:** What’s next for you now that you’ve resigned?
**Emmanuel François:** For now, I want to take some time to reflect. I have dedicated many years to public service and need a break. Eventually, I plan to return to my medical practice and perhaps find new ways to contribute to my community. I still care deeply for Saint-Pierre-des-Corps.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us, Emmanuel. Best of luck in your future endeavors.
**Emmanuel François:** Thank you! It was a pleasure speaking with you.
