Régine Bourgade was elected mayor of Mende, during the municipal council of this Thursday, August 22, 2024

Régine Bourgade a reçu l'écharpe municipale des mains de Laurent Suau. MIDI LIBRE – M. E

À l’issue du vote des élus du conseil municipal du jeudi 22 août 2024, Régine Bourgade a été élue, par scrutin, maire de la ville de Mende, en remplacement de Laurent Suau, lui-même récemment élu président du Conseil départemental.

At the end of this hot summer afternoon, the Mende municipal council was convened this Thursday, August 22, 2024 to elect its new mayor, in the Henri-Bourrillon room of the annex town hall. To replace Laurent Suau, recently called to chair the Departmental Council in place of Sophie Pantel, herself elected MP for Lozère last July. A room suddenly too small to accommodate an incalculable number of residents, who came to watch the votes of the mayor and his deputies. On the starting line, two candidates were declared. Régine Bourgade, first deputy mayor and Emmanuelle Soulier, candidate of the De Mende et vous group. Unsurprisingly, Régine Bourgade swept the votes.

Secret ballot voting

But well before the start of the session, discussions were in full swing despite the lack of suspense over the outcome of the vote. Régine Bourgade spoke first in the absence of the oldest member of the assembly, Marie Paoli. After the roll call, with just under thirty elected officials present, the president of the assembly recalled the rules of use for the election of the new mayor of Mende and his deputies: “Secret ballot and absolute majority”, specified the elected official. Emmanuelle Soulier declared herself a candidate, insisting on speaking. Refused by Régine Bourgade who responded curtly: “You will be able to express yourself as soon as the mayor is elected”. “It is a democratic denial”,replied the opposing candidate. First hiccup. It was finally Laurent Suau who put an end to hostilities by declaring Régine Bourgade candidate of the municipal majority, with her consent.

The municipal councilors then moved one by one to the voting booth to vote in the greatest secrecy. Before going to place the envelope in the ballot box, placed in front of the council. After the count of the envelopes, the counting took place with a first name drawn from the hat: Emmanuelle Soulier. And a flood of ballots in the name of Régine Bourgade. It is therefore no surprise that Laurent Suau's first deputy was elected Mayor of Mende, until 2026, the year of the next municipal elections. With 3 votes for Emmanuelle Soulier, three blank ballots, and 27 votes for Régine Bourgade. To a round of applause from residents and councilors.

Régine Bourgade very moved

After passing the sash to the new mayor, Laurent Suau commented: “It's a real pleasure for Régine. She's invested a lot.” and Régine Bourgade took the floor, very moved: “It's a great honor to address you as mayor […] The life of a community is not a long quiet river but I have found a lot of satisfaction in my duties. I am aware of the responsibility that this represents today. Rest assured that I will do everything I can to not disappoint you. And I will involve as many of you as possible in my action. I know I can count on all of you.” To conclude with a new round of applause, before the election of the deputies. Régine Bourgade is the first woman to become mayor of the city.  

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