Candidate for candidacy. Frédéric Dutin has just set a first milestone in the race for the municipal elections which will take place – barring any surprises – in the spring of 2026. “Obviously, I am thinking about it,” says the socialist when asked about his possible candidacy.
Following two recent interviews with Charles Dayot on the city center and the cultural policy of the Agglomeration, the opposition municipal councilor brings his vision on the affairs of the municipality. Unsurprisingly, takes a dig at the current mayor's record. And outlines the first perspectives of the future program.
How would you characterize Charles Dayot's mandate?
He's running out of breath. And beyond that, I don’t see a vision for our city.
You know the mayor. What makes you different from him?
Charles Dayot and I have different ways of proceeding. He is at the head of a majority which is quick to enter into conflict at the slightest opportunity by launching invectives of a violence which is sometimes quite surprising. I want to be someone who brings people together. I like working in a team, listening, absorbing each other's ideas.
Let's move on to the files. In the city center, you want to highlight other directions than those led by the current majority. Which ones?
The revitalization of the city center will not only be achieved through the commercial vacancy rate. It is by bringing back the inhabitants that we will achieve this. Beyond the paint strokes on the facades, it is necessary to study with the owners the habitability conditions inside the housing, some of which we know are particularly dilapidated. It is under this condition that we will find consumption in the center. How can we not also mention the projects that have been in slow motion for years.
Do you want to talk about the project around the New Galleries?
Yes, but also the Halles de la Madeleine or the Lamarque-Cando room. These are flagships of the city which, today, have, for at least two of them, no prospects. Concerning the New Galleries, the mayor explains to us that the project is blocked by a few hoteliers. And that he is waiting for all avenues of appeal to expire so as not to take any risks and launch the start of the work. It is therefore a project that has been stopped… Perhaps instead of persisting, Mr. Dayot could have reviewed the sizing and characteristics of this project. In short, do consultation.
“An environmental policy should not be limited to a policy of flower boxes on rue Gambetta”
There is the Despiau-Wlérick museum project which is also on pause…
He's falling behind too. And the outlines of the project remain extremely vague. On this subject, I want to remind you that we missed an incredible opportunity, which was the possibility of having the architect Jean Nouvel at the helm. Beyond the architectural quality that we know about it, its name would also have attracted visitors. For such equipment, this is not anecdotal, especially when we talk about revitalizing the city center. Here again, this is a lack of long-term vision.
Does this mean that we need to go back on this issue?
There is no going back. As for the New Galleries, even if there are things that we can improve at the margins. It would be a financial waste. We must continue this project while taking care that there are no budgetary slippages as we saw for CaféMusic'.
Are you referring to the 500,000 euros excess which was paid by the partner communities?
Yes, they filled the gap. I believe that we must be accountable for our funds, especially when it comes to public funds. But there is so much to say about the cultural policy led by Charles Dayot. I note that he is abandoning a campaign promise, because the House of Traditions will not happen. I also deplore the absence of a theater with a large capacity.
Do you have a project in this direction?
We must clearly ask ourselves the question of arena coverage. The building should not only be there to host bullfighting shows, but why not one-off sporting events, as we saw with the Coupe des Landes basketball final or shows.
This has a cost and the bill could rise quickly due to the size of the structure. Is this feasible?
We cannot do without a serious study on the feasibility and a study on the financial impact. It should be noted that the economic benefits that this will bring for the city must be taken into account. This is a return on investment that must be made over several years. I regret that the last majorities have been doing nothing for years.
“Our Mons schools are dilapidated! This will be a priority file”
Let's talk about finances. During municipal council meetings, you denounce the deterioration of public accounts. What to do if the boxes are empty?
If we win the elections, we will do an audit on the finances and we will see the state in which we find ourselves. We will need to have a clear vision of what our city's debt is. From there, decisions will be made. There will be no taboo subjects.
Will you raise taxes?
I know Charles Dayot's speech, who says that if the left comes to power, it will increase taxes. He waves it off like a scarecrow. And forget to say that if anyone has touched taxation like never before, it's him. Until the increase in canteen prices! The tax increases he decides on are used to plug holes, and not for real investments that provide better services to residents. On this point, let's be clear: the long lease of the Halles de la Madeleine that had to be bought back is its majority. The illegal financing of cinema to the tune of 1.5 million euros is also the majority. Let's not reverse the responsibilities! And I'm not talking about the era of Geneviève Darrieussecq, which Mr. Dayot supported, where investments were too concentrated, too rapid and not spread out enough over time.
You also want to distance yourself from the environmental policy led by the current majority. How ?
All the same, it is not those who have excessively mineralized this city who are going to come and explain to us, today, that they are the champions of revegetation. Currently, the municipality is in the process of making and undoing: in short, we mineralized everything at one time – certain areas are unbearable in the summer – and now, we are going to plant everywhere. Yet another proof of financial mismanagement and lack of direction. For me, an environmental policy should not be limited to a flower box policy on rue Gambetta. We must work on a real public transport policy, green and soft roads, but also on energy savings. If we win the elections, we will put in place a green budget.
Education is also an issue that you want to “priority”. What do you recommend?
What is Mr. Dayot’s assessment on the subject? He closed the Carboué school, which had an impact on attendance at other establishments. He had to transfer two classes from the central school to the Arènes school, due to infiltration, and because there were questions about the solidity of the structure. I also learned that about a fortnight ago, the Argenté school was flooded, and there are other water infiltrations at the Beillet and Bourg-schools. Nine. Our Mons schools are dilapidated! This will be a priority file. There is a lack of maintenance. And those who suffer from this situation are the staff, teachers, parents and especially the children.
On a more political side
Beyond the attack on Charles Dayot's record and the outline of his future program, Frédéric Dutin also returned to the rich political climate within the municipality and the Agglomeration. Excerpts.
On governance. “Do you think things have calmed down? What I noticed is that some rebels were offered a position of vice-president or confirmed in their missions. This may have calmed their ardor. » On Geneviève Darrieussecq: “Will she appear against Charles Dayot? What would seem extraordinary to me is that on the altar of electoral necessities, they replay true love for us and leave together. Nobody could believe it. » On the RN score. “I measure this rise at the local level, if only at the level of the canton where I am elected. The score there is extremely important, but backed by national elections. I think that at the local level, it's something else. Voters want local elected officials and they want to know them. I can't imagine that voters could vote for a mayor whose face or voice they don't know. »
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