France. Reinforced bastions, collapsing models. Or uncertain duels. On the evening of March 15, “cultural” cities experienced a real emotional roller coaster between a flamboyant election and a humiliating defeat. Some candidates did not need to wait. In Versailles (Yvelines), François de Mazières (various right) slashed the champagne in the first round. Winning a fight by knockout with 64.56% of the votes obtained, leaving Olivier de la Faire (Union of Rights for the Republic) far behind him, with 15.49% of the votes. Its garden city model, with “Mois Molière” and attention to heritage, has swept away all opposition.
But when it is not adapted, culture can become a weapon of electoral destruction. In Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis), Mathieu Hanotin (Socialist Party) paid the high price. Credited with 32.7% of the votes, he was swept aside by Bally Bagayoko (La France insoumise) elected in the first round with 50.77% of the votes. Over the years, discontent has risen in the streets of Saint-Denis against the mayor’s cultural policy: new conservatory canceled, music festival threatened or an amount of 37 million euros allocated to the spire of the basilica to the detriment of neighborhood culture.
“Bourges 2028”
On the other hand, the wind of history is blowing at the backs of certain city councilor candidates. In Bourges (Cher), Yann Galut (various left) is almost assured of his re-election with 47.97% of the votes. The hoped-for influence of “Bourges European Capital of Culture in 2028”, wrested from Clermont-Ferrand, has acted as a shield and a driving force. Because the mayor has succeeded in transforming a cultural project into a credible promise of economic renewal. Same observation in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône). Drafted from the waters of the Rhône where some challengers already saw him sink, Patrick de Carolis (Horizons) maintains a solid electoral base even if his management focused on prestige earns him criticism. Culture as a tourist locomotive and lever of local pride seems to guarantee him a second round without much fear (34.09% of the votes).
The fighting becomes more complicated in the metropolises. And above all… for the former Ministers of Culture. Trailing more than 10 points behind Emmanuel Grégoire (PS), Rachida Dati (Les Républicains) is in a precarious tie with 25.46% of the votes cast. Would she be sanctioned for her lack of cultural ambition? However, the candidate remains combative and has joined forces with Pierre-Yves Bournazel (Horizons) for a common list in the second round. More consensual, Catherine Trautmann (PS) also finds herself plunged in Strasbourg into an uncertain ballot with 25.93% of the votes. Or a breath away from his direct challenger, LR Jean-Philippe Vetter (24.23% of the votes cast), despite the former minister’s stated ambitions to promote culture all year round. A program, however, without any real break or reinvention which only amplifies what already exists.
