Billère removed from the executive of the Pau agglomeration

However, nothing suggested this improbable scenario. Indeed, Arnaud Jacottin initially appeared alone on the starting line for this election. Elected mayor of Billère this Monday after the resignation of Jean-Yves Lalanne, he was also to replace his predecessor within the urban council as vice-president in charge of citizenship and relations with users, while continuing to take on the role of scratching hair that he loves.

An unspoken rule

The transfer was expected to be all the more peaceful since an “unspoken rule” implies that the largest municipalities are represented on the executive board, for reasons of balance. But that was without taking into account the candidacy that was pulled out of the hat. The mayor of Artigueloutan, a village of 1,200 inhabitants, actually got up from her seat to introduce herself without warning.

“It wasn’t premeditated, I decided it just now. My approach has nothing to do with Mr. Jacottin as a person. I feel concerned by this subject of citizenship and the relationship with users, especially as a nurse. And then you will agree, Mr. President, that there is a bit of a lack of women,” stammers this civil servant who claims to have no political affiliation.

Although this intervention was applauded, it sowed astonishment in the ranks of the opposition. Arnaud Jacottin immediately warned of the consequences that a choice in favor of his competitor could have. “If the city of Billère were not represented on the executive board, while it has more than 14,000 inhabitants, it would be a political act that would bode poorly for our future relations, namely calm and respectful exchanges with the opposition. This would amount to breaking the balance of the construction and governance of the agglomeration,” warned the mayor of Billère, who was careful not to “disqualify the opposing candidacy.”

A single bulletin

Also a member of the opposition, Valérie Revel, mayor of Lescar, supported her counterpart Arnaud Jacottin. “I have a lot of respect for Marie-Claire Né, but I will not find it normal that Billère is not represented within the executive, if only in terms of symbol and respect for this tacit rule , ethics and morality,” says the vice-president in charge of community solidarity policies.

“Parity was not respected for Idron, 6^e town of the agglomeration with 5,500 inhabitants. I accepted this decision which did not allow me to access the executive office”, objects André Nahon, mayor of Idron who assures that he is “not demanding anything”.

On these warnings, it remained for elected officials to decide. A sign of the confusion reigning in the room, the advisors only had one ballot in their possession in the name of Arnaud Jacottin. The contingency problems resolved, the usually rather consensual atmosphere took a more serious turn. If smiles appeared on the faces of supporters of President François Bayrou, faces seemed worried on the opposition side before the verdict at the polls.

“A shot of Trafalgar”

After counting the 84 ballots, François Bayrou revealed a clear result: 57 votes in favor of Marie-Claire Né (71% of the votes), 23 for Arnaud Jacottin and 4 blanks. After thanking the assembly, the new vice-president then spoke at the podium where she had just been installed. “I want to convey my ideas and make myself useful to the people of the city in a more peaceful spirit,” says the 52-year-old elected official with emotion.

Stunned, the opposition reacted year after year. “The Billèrois will no longer be represented, it is a breach in our common organization, designed by André Labarrère and his predecessors. It is appropriate to draw conclusions from this: when we do not agree, we are sanctioned,” says Arnaud Jacottin, who called on his comrades to leave the session as a sign of protest against “this Trafalgar coup.”

“This vote breaks the principles that you had set for the functioning of this office, leaving Billérois aside,” regrets Jérôme Marbot, opposition community councilor. “That’s like saying Arnaud Jacottin, he opened his mouth a little too much, so now he’s going to shut it,” says Eric Bourdet, Lonsois community councilor.

” A break “

“Systematic opposition is not our rule here, that probably explains your result, which I’ll leave you to think about,” scolds François Bayrou. Arnaud Jacottin did not hear the end of the sermon, he had already turned on his heels followed in particular by Jérôme Marbot, Emmanuelle Camelot and Natalie Francq.

Among the few to stay, Valérie Revel tried to analyze the situation. “It’s a break, the legislative elections may have had something to do with it. The atmosphere has changed in this assembly. I hope that we can continue to work in plurality.”

The opposition cries scandal and denounces a “ready-made” scenario

As the session continued, several opposition elected officials, having left the room, found themselves unexpectedly in front of the prefecture where a rally against the far right had just taken place. Demonstration in which Jean-Yves Lalanne took part who joined the group where the anger was expressed. The resigning mayor of Billère denounced a candidacy “led by the ultras of Bayrou” against a backdrop of “settling of political scores”.
« The 1^is June, François Bayrou had assured me of a smooth handover within the executive office. The exclusion of Billère is very symbolic. He has disavowed his commitments, it is a scandal,” castigates the legislative candidate.
Everyone agreed that “this maneuver was “prepared” and “sewn with white thread”. “Marie-Claire Né’s candidacy brought ear-to-ear smiles to the faces of Bayrou’s supporters,” laments Lonsois elected official Eric Bourdet. “François Bayrou’s surprise at the announcement of this candidacy was feigned, he is not a good actor,” says Emmanuelle Camelot, elected in Pau. “It’s a staging,” adds Julien Ochem, assistant to Billère.
“François Bayrou gives moral lessons on television channels and here he wields iron,” concludes Jean-Yves Lalanne.