Par
Franck Hermel
Published on
Jan 3, 2025 at 12:39 p.m.
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On January 2, 2025, Yannick Moreau announced his decision on social networks to renounce his mandates as mayor and president of the Sables-d'Olonne conurbation by September 2025.
A decision which surprised a lot of people and which raised a lot of questions. And most of them have few answers yet. Attempt at decryption.
1. Why this sudden decision?
This announcement took everyone by surprise. According to our sources, the mayors of the agglomeration were warned about an hour before the broadcast of Yannick Moreau's message on social networks. To Sables-d'Olonneeveryone expected to see the mayor leave in 2026, with good prospects of re-election…
However, it is true that, in the past, Yannick Moreau has announced on several occasions that he would one day end his political career. What he confirms in his message of January 2, at the dawn of his fifties:
“I always swore to myself not to become an old elected official clinging to his chair. Those close to me know it well, I have always dreamed of having a private life one day, after my public life. »
2. Why make this announcement nine months before the actual resignation?
It is “by September” that Yannick Moreau will relinquish his mandates as mayor and president of the agglomeration. So why announce it now? Certainly, the mayor of Sables-d'Olonne benefits from the wish periodconducive to a certain form of solemnity, even theatricality that he likes.
But it is now a departing mayor who is at the head of the second city of Vendée, for eight months. With what impact on its political weight and its relationships within the City and the agglomeration?
3. Why leave six months before the municipal elections?
Certainly, leaving in September will allow Yannick Moreau to take part in important events during the year, on subjects that are dear to him. He will be able to attend the awards ceremony Vendée Globe as mayor.
Above all, he can inaugurate the Arena Stadium which is scheduled to be put into service this summer. The Arena constitutes the most ambitious project of his mandate.
But then, why not stay mayor and president of the agglomeration for another six months and retire in the simplest way: by not representing himself in 2026 ? Is it out of a desire to try to place a dolphin at the head of the city who could also benefit from the outgoing bonus during the 2026 municipal campaign?
4. Did threats and criticism play a role?
“I gave a lot, received a lot, made a few mistakes too,” acknowledges the mayor in his message. In fact, he is aware of it: Yannick Moreau has not convinced everyone. The victory of “no” to vote on the Cours Guédon project in November 2023 is an illustration of this. According to our sources, this setback remains very present in his mind.
The policy pursued in recent years has given rise to sometimes heated debates : taxation of second homes, aerodrome, statue of Ulysses… Its detractors denounce the “pharaonic character” of certain projects such as the Arena. Enough to fuel sometimes lively, even violent, exchanges on social networks.
We know that Yannick Moreau is very sensitive to it, although very present on these networks, not hesitating to put himself on stage there. “I had to endure defamation, insults, threats and acts of damage to my personal property in front of my home”he declared during the December municipal council, referring to a new complaint for death threats. A situation which probably influenced his decision.
5. A departure with what results?
There are still nine months left and it is therefore early to draw up an exhaustive assessment of 17 years of elective career. He listed the main stages himself in his speech: the capture of the town hall of Olonne-sur-Mer in 2008the birth of the agglomeration community in 2017.
But Yannick Moreau's career will remain marked by the merger of the three municipalities (Les Sables-d'Olonne, Château-d'Olonne, Olonne-sur-Mer) leading to the creation of the new town of Les Sables-d'Olonne in 2019. A merger which perhaps would not have taken place without his unfailing determination.
This merger did not escape the controversyelected officials pointing the finger at the governance of Yannick Moreau. The latter remained a controversial personality, particularly on certain social issues. His fight for statue Saint-Michel is an example.
But he has always prided himself on benefiting from the support of the “silent majority of Sablais”, taking as proof the largely favorable results obtained during the municipal elections (59.4% of the votes in 2020).
6. What career after politics?
What to do after being mayor of Sables-d'Olonne? Graduated with a master's degree and a DESS from business lawYannick Moreau benefits from his long political experience to enhance his CV. We also know his interest and experience in domaine maritime. His name was also circulated in September for the post of Minister of the Sea.
And if he gave in to the sirens of national politics ? Some think so. But in his message, Yannick Moreau expresses his “dream of having a private life after my public life”, which clearly evokes a withdrawal from all political life.
7. Will he stay in Les Sables-d’Olonne?
Will he also stay in Les Sables-d'Olonne, where, at 49, he should build a new career while necessarily remaining associated with his old activities? A return to the countryside is it on the agenda?
8. Will new elections be necessary?
Non. Voters will not return to the polls before the municipal elections of 2026. The vote for the new mayor will be done within the municipal council.
9. When and how will his successor be chosen?
The new mayor and the new president of the agglomeration will be elected by municipal and community councilors within their respective assemblies.
As soon as Yannick Moreau has resigned, the agglomeration council and the municipal council will meet for this purpose. Nothing requires that the mayor of Sables-d'Olonne and the president of the agglomeration be the same person.
10. Who to succeed him?
This is one of the big questions that everyone is asking, because right now, no name is immediately obvious within the municipal council. Off the record, observers can put forward two or three names among Yannick Moreau's entourage…
It is hard to imagine him leaving without preparing some form of succession. Firstly to take charge of the city and the agglomeration until 2026, then to keep it by winning at the polls during the municipal elections. Is this succession already ready?
The months to come will tell. There is no doubt that appetites will whetinside and outside the municipal council, and that looks and small sentences will be carefully scrutinized.
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