Gérard Trémège, mayor of Tarbes since 2001, has begun his “exit”. In front of the members of Tarbes 2020, he announced that he would not run for another term as mayor, but that he would remain in the team. And for his estate? He “dubbed” Michel Garnier, his faithful chief of staff.
The question was not whether it would happen or not, but when and where… Even if some sometimes doubted, knowing Gérard Trémège’s attachment to his position, of his ability to let go, the time has come. Well, almost… Because Gérard Trémège, in front of nearly 250 members of Tarbes 2020 (whose name will become Tarbes 2026) made official what the rumor had already been spreading for several days: he will not run for a 5th term as mayor. “I like to walk through the streets of our city, and I meet a lot of young people. I tell myself that they have only known one mayor of Tarbes. These 24 years have passed very quickly, but when I look what has become of our city, I say to myself that the 25 votes which allowed us to win in 2001 weighed heavily in the future of Tarbes Oh, of course, the path has not always been easy. but there were what I call victories against destiny and resignation.” And to cite the renovation of rue Foch, the Marcadieu hall, the town entrances, the Brauhauban hall, the acquisition of the Arsenal, the Stud farm… “The list is long, we have invested €300 million in the city to make it more welcoming, more attractive and it is bearing fruit, today, our city is regaining residents and jobs.”
“We changed the city”
Successes that he dedicated to his audience. “And all of this is a collective work, I am not alone. You were there in 2001 to help us win the election, and many are still there to continue to support us. It warms my heart. ” And to also mention the evolution of entertainment and the success of festivals like Equestria, Tarbes en Tango, the Fêtes de Tarbes, “which we owe to Michel Garnier.” A first clue?
As his speech progresses, his voice chokes a little, as if knotted by emotion. “We have to tell people that we love that we love them. The recognition that the people of Tarbais have shown by entrusting me with 4 consecutive mandates touches me enormously. We have shared battles together, we will continue, for you, for our Our adversaries will have difficulty denigrating what we have accomplished, and convincing us that their project is credible. We have shown that credibility cannot be decreed, it can be proven. proven.”
“I pass the baton”
“But to lead the next battle, you need a vision and a new team, I have decided not to run for a new term as mayor. And since the contenders (Pascal Claverie and Romain Giral, Editor’s note) did not succeed in However, to use an Olympic phrase, “I pass the baton, but I keep the flame.” “He has been my chief of staff since 2001, we know each other perfectly, he is aware of all the files, it is the choice of the heart and the reason.”
“It’s an honor”
In an already very assertive speech, Michel Garnier underlined “the honor given to him by Gérard Trémège”, his desire to continue “the path traced by the one who transformed the city, and we will still need him”, before to plant a few banners: “I have already heard some detractors, I tell them that I will not be a puppet, I am ready for this new mission, it is a commitment that I consider a duty, I have the ambition to bring together, to those who spend their time criticizing, I tell them that I will spend my time working. I appeal to all those of good will, to young people, who want to help Tarbes win. Before presenting the future campaign logo, “Tarbes Naturally”, which perhaps has a symbolic dimension. Indeed, the two “natural” suitors were absent. If Pascal Claverie, prevented by a family accident as compelling as it was unforeseen, was excused, Romain Giral did not show up…
In any case, the 2026 municipal campaign has just officially started, things are likely to speed up…
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