Edouard Philippe is back in Le Havre. The former prime minister was reelected without surprise mayor of this city of Seine-Maritime Sunday July 5 by 47 votes out of 59 during the first session of the new municipal council, found journalists from Agence France-Presse (AFP) .
In the second round of the municipal elections, last Sunday, the list led by Mr. Philippe won with 58.83% of the vote. From 2010 to 2017, he had already been mayor of this port city of 170,000 inhabitants. This election was marked, as in many cities, by a high abstention rate (58%).
“Relief”
The new mayor was acclaimed by the members of the council as well as by the public present in the room, among whom was the Minister of Action and Public Accounts, Gérard Darmanin, himself re-elected mayor of Tourcoing on May 23.
The new councilor of Le Havre first observed a minute of silence in memory of two political figures from the region, who have disappeared in recent months. Before delivering his first speech, Mr. Philippe wanted all the assistants to be appointed.
The former head of government appeared calm and happy. If there is a “Relief” for Mr. Philippe, it’s a “Physical relief, more than a relief of the spirit: three years at the bottom, it is exhausting”, commented his friend, MEP Gilles Boyer, who came “Attend this beautiful moment”.