“What are you doing here?” You are not in your place Mr. Bayrou. This is a political mistake. Your first mission, Mr. Prime Minister, is to take a plane and go to Mayotte, even if only symbolically. »
The exit of opponent Tuncay Cilgi during the Pau municipal council on December 16 did not go unnoticed. While François Bayrou was caught in a media storm, this extract made the rounds in the national media. The elected democratic and social left has built a small popularity which also knows its nauseating faults.
Tuncay Cilgi is the target of racist messages both on his Facebook profile (see box) and by mail. He was the recipient of an anonymous letter left at the town hall a few days ago. A missive that the municipality sent to him without accompanying it with a nota bene, which the elected official did not really like.
“Despite all the efforts I have made to adapt and integrate, I am constantly taken back to my origins”
“They received this white envelope and they opened it and then forwarded it to me without further procedure. I would have liked someone to call me and say 'We received this', you can collect it. » “It’s quite negligent,” adds Jean-François Blanco, his lawyer, also an EELV municipal opponent, in Pau. But above all, they should have reported it to the public prosecutor. »
The lawyer therefore took care of it this Monday, September 23 by going to court accompanied by his client. A complaint for public defamation of a racist nature against an elected official has been filed, as indicated by the Republic of the Pyrenees.
“I will continue my fight”
“This letter goes back to my origins by asking me to keep quiet and not give lessons,” says Tuncay Cilgi, leaving the courthouse. There is no anger but I am hurt. Despite all the efforts made to adapt and integrate, I notice that I am constantly referred to my origins and that some people still consider that I am not legitimate to speak. »
Tuncay Cilgi arrived in France at the age of 6, on July 14, 1989, from Türkiye. Employee of Enedis for which he was a CGT union delegate, he has been elected since 2020 on the left-wing list.
“We are in an atmosphere where this form of discriminatory and racist speech is being released. When I received the mail, I wondered whether I should keep it to myself or make it public. I chose to say it to raise awareness. But I will continue my fight for what I consider just and necessary. The remarks made during the municipal council of the 16th seemed to me to be so. »
Racist attacks on Facebook
Tuncay Cilgi sent us screenshots of his Facebook messages. The observation is clear. “What is this circus of rebels led by a Turkish clown? » asks a first Internet user. “Your identity is not really Béarnaise? asks another. Would you make the same mess in your home country? » When a third uses the implication: “Are you sure you are in your place? I'm not sure. »
