In Bordeaux, the election of Pierre Hurmic marks the end of 73 years of the right at the town hall. An ecological shift symptomatic of a national trend. And a new era for Bordeaux and its metropolis. Here is the analysis of Ludovic Renard, political scientist.
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It has been 73 years since Bordeaux had known anything other than a right-wing mayor. But this Sunday, June 28, the city switched to the side of environmentalists. “A thunderclap” for Ludovic Renard, political scientist at Sciences Po Bordeaux. According to him, it is a “sanction vote”. “There is a large number of changes in the cities, which show a vote of sanction against the outgoing mayor whose results are not considered favorable”, explains the political scientist.
And if the sanction fell in Bordeaux, it is also a judgment of the citizens towards alliances “perceived as unnatural by voters”, specifies Ludovic Renard. The outgoing mayor allied in the final stretch with the candidate of the Republic in March, Thomas Cazenave, an identical strategy in Lyon and Strasbourg, two cities which also voted for the environmentalists.
The ecologist @PierreHurmic won the town hall of #Bordeaux this Sunday in the evening. Five hundred people who accompanied him from his permanence to the Palais Rohan in a joyful crowd.
Find out more ► https://t.co/zo1cVJsCIf pic.twitter.com/FNW6uNSOhU– France3 Aquitaine (@ F3Aquitaine) June 28, 2020
Favorable mobilization
The green wave, perceived throughout France, also comes “young people”, who mobilized. “Six out of 10 French people did not move. Those who did did perceive an issue around municipal teams, which is manifested by the push of the environmental vote”, explains Ludovic Renard.
A mobilization favorable to Pierre Hurmic, whose program and orientations are part of this new dynamic. “There are issues around the sustainable city and the new forms of citizenship and participation in political life, worn by young people and other categories. These are the forces that have mobilized”, explains Ludovic Renard.
Scene of jubilation at the headquarters of Pierre Hurmic after his victory. #Bordeaux swings left for the first time in 73 years (video Elise Galand) # Municipales2020 pic.twitter.com/FNKawXViHb
– France3 Aquitaine (@ F3Aquitaine) June 28, 2020
Another factor, the wait for the “world after”, appeared after confinement, which joined the aspirations of the Yellow Vests movement.
Towards a greener metropolis
This wave, recognized by the former mayor of Bordeaux, Alain Juppé, was however expected. “It is a confirmation of the last European elections where environmentalists had made 25% in metropolitan areas”, recalls the political scientist at Sciences Po Bordeaux.
And if Bordeaux goes green, the Metropolis should follow the same path, in which it had already embarked. Jean-Luc Gleyze, the president of the Department of Gironde was also delighted with the victory of the environmental candidate, with whom he will have to collaborate in the coming years. “The victory of the union of the left in Bordeaux is a symbol. I would like to congratulate Pierre Hurmic, and all the teams, who have worked with him to offer a historic change. This victory redraws the political balances within The city, the president said in a statement. Tonight’s results confirm the positive dynamics of the first round in Gironde. The Left is alive and well, firmly anchored in the territories, faithful to its values, concerned for the well-being of our fellow citizens. Gathered, it opens a new path to meet the ecological, united and democratic challenges of our time. “
The insights of Ludovic Renard, political scientist on the lessons of this election:
Ludovic Renard, political scientist at Sciences Po Bordeaux, analyzes the victory of the Greens
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Because at the Bordeaux Métropole level, the balance of power will be completely turned upside down. “There will be three major forces: an environmental force which will be in the majority a PS and allied force which could moreover merge with the communists already present, and finally a third group which will split the current majority, since the stake of the agreement between Thomas Cazenave and Nicolas Florian planned the creation of a group specific to LaRem “, analyzes Ludovic Renard.
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