François Rebsamen, new Minister of Territorial Planning and Decentralization, as of

The former mayor of Dijon François Rebsamen was appointed minister responsible for regional planning and decentralization by François Bayrou this Monday, December 23. A look back at the career of this historic figure of the Burgundian left.

It's now official. This Monday, December 23, Prime Minister François Bayrou (MoDem) decided to appoint François Rebsamen minister responsible for regional planning and decentralization. The former mayor of Dijon and current president of the metropolitan council of the City of Dukes will now leave his post to enter the government.

This is also the second time in ten years that this figure of the Burgundian left has been called upon to govern. We therefore invite you to return, in a few dates, to his journey:

March 18, 2001: First election for mayor of Dijon

François Rebsamen began his career in the place where he has always lived: Dijon. In 1983, he tried for the first time to be elected as head of the city, but he came up against the list led by the outgoing mayor, Robert Poujade. Six years later, the 38-year-old man took charge of the socialist group in the Dijon municipal council. He tried, once again, to get elected, but lost again to the RPR.

It was only after the fourth attempt, and after the retirement of Robert Poujade, that Dijon shifted to the left. François Rebsamen and his list of the plural left obtained 52% of the votes, just ahead of the right led by Jean-François Bazin. On March 9, 2008, the former mayor of Dijon returned for a second term by winning the municipal election in the first round.

September 21, 2008: he becomes senator of Côte-d'Or

On September 21, 2008, the mayor of Dijon became senator of the Côte-d'Or, the first under the socialist label since 1948. Three years later, he was appointed head of the socialist group in this assembly. He notably opposed the law on the non-cumulation of mandates.

2012: Tram and start of pedestrianization: modes of transport are evolving

On September 1, 2012, he inaugurated his biggest project since he was mayor of Dijon: the tramway. Four years of studies and work allowed Dijon, Chenôve and Quetigny to rediscover this mode of transport, 60 years after its disappearance in the City of Dukes. At the same time, the main arteries of downtown Dijon are being transformed to accommodate this soft mobility.

Rue de la Liberté and Places de la République and de la Libération become entirely pedestrian. In the years that followed, work in the city center continued. Latest project to date: Place Bossuet, where benches and trees have been installed in place of car parking.

April 2, 2014: He is appointed to the Ministry of Labor

Under the presidency of François Hollande, Manuel Valls appointed François Rebsamen Minister of Labor. The mayor of Dijon therefore leaves office. He is notably responsible for reducing the unemployment rate, which was around 10% during his time in government. In mid-2015, he introduced a bill on social dialogue.

This text provides in particular for the representation of employees in very small businesses (VSE) as well as the merger of the RSA and the employment bonus.

August 10, 2015: Return to Dijon town hall

A tragic news event disrupts his plans. On July 27, 2015, Alain Millot, first deputy who had taken the reins of Dijon during the absence of François Rebsamen, died from cancer. The Burgundian then decides to leave the government and return to the City of Dukes to resume his role.

A year later, he refused the post of Minister of the Interior, explaining that he wanted to concentrate on Dijon.

April 10, 2018: Announcement of his cancer, he withdraws for four months

On April 10, 2018, the Dijon town hall published a press release announcing that François Rebsamen was suffering from cancer and that he would no longer be able to fulfill his role as an elected official. He then delegated his functions to Nathalie Koenders for the city and to Pierre Pribetich for the metropolis.

“Everyone knows, I have always refused to expose my private life. I do so today for the sake of transparency and a duty to tell the truth. From this day forward, I will no longer speak about my health. I ask everyone to respect this silence. This will be the best way to support me in my healing,” he declared.

Four months later, he returned to Dijon political life, ensuring that he was able to resume his activities.

March 5, 2022: Rebsamen supports Emmanuel Macron

On March 5, 2022, in the middle of the presidential campaign, François Rebsamen announced, in a press release, that he would vote for Emmanuel Macron in the upcoming election. “It’s an obvious choice. No other candidate seems more competent today,” he declared to AFP. He believed that the President of the Republic had “the stature and credibility of a head of state”.

There was little doubt about his rallying to Emmanuel Macron's camp. In July 2022, he was already one of the 350 mayors to have praised the courage of Emmanuel Macron in a forum. On the other hand, this Burgundian figure had always opposed numerous policies supported by the head of state, such as the abolition of the ISF or the unemployment insurance reforms.

May 6, 2022: the City of Gastronomy is born

It is a long-term project, launched in 2013, with two years of work, which ends in May 2022. On this date, Dijon inaugurates the Cité de la Gastronomie et du Vin, a vast space dedicated to culinary culture and a new attractive center for the city. The total cost of the project is estimated at 250 million euros.

November 18, 2024: Rebsamen leaves office as mayor of Dijon

On November 18, the mayor of Dijon announced that after 20 years at the head of the town hall, he had decided to hand over to his first deputy, Nathalie Koenders. “When I look at the action accomplished, I consider that the time has come for me to transmit”he indicates in a press release sent around 5:30 p.m. He affirms that his choice will “breathe democracy” et “will allow new talents to express themselves”.

He had already announced, in February 2023, that he would not run for a third term at the head of Dijon town hall. On the other hand, François Rebsamen remains president of Dijon Métropole.