The Sigloy village hall having been rented by the Passeurs de Loire, the municipality had to organize the elections in the presbytery, “a nice, rural setting”. Participation was strong.
A small green park with a few benches, a pretty 19th century building, a door and exposed wooden beams… “Look how pleasant our presbytery is,” smiles Denise Villette, fourth deputy mayor of Sigloy.
Sunday June 30, the voters of this town of nearly 700 souls, where the royal river flows, vote in this unusual office, since the village hall – usually requisitioned – is not available.
“It was rented by the Passeurs de Loire. Like many other municipalities in France, we therefore sent a letter to the prefecture to request an exemption,” says Denise Villette.
“The setting is nice, it’s rural”
The result satisfies those who run the polling station as much as those who slip their ballot into the ballot box.
“The setting is nice, it’s rural; as the weather is nice, people can sit on the benches outside to chat,” comments the deputy. “It’s ‘cocooning’. Many people discover and admire the place,” adds Florence Lefaucheux, a resident invested in her commune, assessor for a day.
Legislative: in Loiret, at 5 p.m., participation is 59.02%, a sharp increase
The Sigloy presbytery has long since ceased to play its primary role. In fact, the neighbouring church no longer hosts masses, except for weddings and baptisms. The hall is mainly used by the archery club, which trains there. And the elected officials would not be against it being used more often to host events.
The presbytery is located in a small green park. Photo Christelle Gaujard
“We must seize the opportunity to express ourselves”
Jean-Claude, 62, and his partner, Claudine, vote in every election: “It’s a right we still have, we have to seize the opportunity to express ourselves.”
Legislative: in Loiret, at noon, participation is 24.32%, up from 2022
This seems to be the case in Sigloy. At 2:50 p.m., 289 voters, out of 567 registered, had already gone to the polls. “It’s very good,” says François Cathelineau, municipal councilor who, calculator in hand, announces “50.9% participation”. In the first round of the 2022 legislative elections, there were only 248 and 328 in the European elections on June 9.
Anne-Laure Le Jan
