In Magny-en-Vexin, no less than four lists were in the running during this first round of partial municipal elections organized this Sunday.
None having gathered the 50% of the votes cast required to win, the voters will therefore be called to the polls again in a week.
With 34.5% of the vote, the list of outgoing mayor Luc Puech d'Alissac (DVD) is in first position, by a short head ahead of his former first deputy (LR) Thomas Vatel and his 33.4% of the vote. .
A close battle since only 23 votes separate the two former allies who have become rivals.
As a reminder, this election is the result of a month-long explosion of the municipal majority.
Started for many months, it ended in late September with the resignation of more than half of the elected officials of this municipality of just under 6,000 inhabitants.
A vote which, with around 45% participation, rather mobilized even if it remains lower by 10 points in the spring of 2020. The outgoing city councilor also wishes to remain cautious.
“We're obviously happy to be in the lead, but it's only a step.
From tomorrow, we will continue to convince Magnytois to continue with me and my fabulous new team the work already started two years ago, but also new projects presented in our program,” said Luc Puech d'Alissac this Sunday.
The fourth list suffered from revelations concerning a running mate
At the rival, Thomas Vatel, the eye is also already riveted to the second round.
“Nothing is decided.
It's almost equal 23 votes difference, .
We still have a very good score because it is still a mayor in place, notes Thomas Vatel.
We are going tomorrow to seek out the missing votes, the abstainers and do everything to come out winners next Sunday”.
It remains to be seen whether the list of Olivier Serre (DVG), supported by the PS and coming third with 23.5% of the vote, will play the spoilsports between the leading duo.
“We are not far from a third, a third, a third.
It remains playable for us next week, believes the head of the list.
We are going to continue the campaign that we have made so far, which is not against anyone”.
The latter in any case closes the door to any alliance with the fourth and last list (DVG) led by Ghislaine Salmat.
Indeed, if it missed the march of 10% (8.4%), its score still offered the possibility of a possible merger.
"It could have been possible without the revelations of the press", assures Olivier Serre.
A reference to number two on the “Citizen Alternative” list, sentenced last year for harassment of his ex-companion and who finally withdrew a few days from the first round.
Ghislaine Salmat “necessarily disappointed” nevertheless wishes to remain positive.
“It's not the expected result, however two months ago, nobody saw us putting together a list.
But we not only mobilized 29 people but also set up an interesting project.
Afterwards, we are probably not as established as the others, ”she underlines.