It's impossible to get lost between the name changes. After having formalized the change of name from Metz Métropole to Eurométropole de Metz during a community council on May 10, 2021, the prefect of Moselle, Laurent Touvet, refused this decision a few months later. The Metz metropolis therefore filed an appeal against this opinion, an appeal rejected by the Strasbourg administrative court on Monday, November 4. The court ruled in favor of the State representative.
Contrary to what the community affirmed, the law “allows the prefect of Moselle to oppose the name change”this one not having “disregarded the principle of free administration of local authorities”decides the administrative court of Strasbourg. “No particular local circumstances justify the name change”indicates the decision.
“Metz Métropole does not border other European countries”
“Metz Métropole does not border other European countries, does not host any European institution and does not boast a long-standing and constant use of a name linked to the term 'euro'”affirms the court. The metropolis of Metz can still appeal this decision within two months.
“If Metz Métropole can continue to use the word 'euro' as an advertising instrument to promote its image, the prefect will continue to ensure that only the words 'Metz Métropole' are used in all official writings and acts legal”specifies the Moselle prefecture in a press release.
“We will never give up asserting our European dimension”
The day after this decision, the mayor of Metz and president of the Metz metropolis, François Grosdidier, announced that he would appeal the decision of the Strasbourg administrative court. “Our community is the only one of 1,250 intermunicipalities [françaises] to be refused by the State the free choice of one's name“, he wrote in a press release. “The European dimension of our metropolis is a reality“. While awaiting legal recourse, the community will continue to be called Eurométropole in its communications, and will sign its legally binding documents Metz Métropole“as we have never stopped doing“.
