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Nicolas Salin
Published on
Nov. 25, 2024 at 7:15 p.m.
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This Monday, November 25 during the municipal council and after 23 years at the head of the city of Dijon, François Rebsamen, 73, gave up his place as mayor to his first deputy, Nathalie Koenders.
“To you, Dijon residents, I address my first words: becoming your mayor is an immense honor. I am ready to carry your expectations and your hopes. I am committed to being at your side, to listening to your needs, to working for the common good and to bringing our projects for the future of our city to life with energy and determination” declared Nathalie Koenders after being elected by a majority absolute.
For the first time since 1800a woman becomes mayor. A look back at the journey of the new first councilor of the capital of the Dukes of Burgundy.
From the little Dijon girl who paddled on Canon Kir Lake thanks to the municipal “Holidays for those who stay” scheme, to the woman who is speaking to you this evening, I reaffirm, this city gave me everything, she built me. I grew up in its streets, lived in its neighborhoods, studied, built my professional life and my family within its walls. I deeply love Dijon and its inhabitants. I am committed to serving them and working for a future that lives up to their hopes.
Former high-level sportswoman
Nathalie Koenders was born on March 1, 1977 in Rennes, in Ille-et-Vilaine. She grew up in Dijon, where she completed all of her schooling, notably at Charles-de-Gaulle international high schoolwhere she obtained a scientific baccalaureate in the German international section.
Before embarking on a political career, Nathalie Koenders practiced canoeing for 12 years within the ASPTT Dijon, reaching the highest national level. From 1992 to 2001, she was member of the French teamparticipating in several European and world championships, and notably winning theth French championship in K1 5000 meters in 1998.
Studies for sport
Alongside her sporting career, Nathalie Koenders continued studies in management and sports law at the University of Burgundy, obtaining a master’s degree in 1999. She then joined the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP), becoming executive at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
She also obtained a degree in public law and followed the preparatory cycle for the entrance exam to the National School of Administration (ENA) in 2006.
A political commitment from the second mandate of François Rebsamen
His political commitment began in 2008 when she was elected on the list of François Rebsamenre-elected after his first term. She is entrusted the delegation for commerce, crafts and the “Cœur de ville” project, contributing to the revitalization of the city center and the installation of the tramway.
In 2015, she was elected departmental councilor of the canton of Dijon-2then re-elected in 2021 with 61.5% of the votes cast.
Propelled to the front line in 2015
While François Rebsamen was called to the Ministry of Labor in April 2014 under François Hollande, he left his other functions in the Senate and at Dijon Town Hall and entrusted the keys to the city to his first deputy, Alain Millot.
In July 2015, there was a twist: Alain Millot died following a long illness. Nathalie Koenders takes over as interim as town hall until the re-election of François Rebsamen in August 2015.
Since then, she has occupied the position of first assistantdelegated in particular to the ecological transition, climate and environment. In September 2024, she is elected first vice-president of Dijon Métropoledelegate for gentle travel, the cycling plan and relations with the Department, a position she still holds to this day.
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