“I am not applying for any title, especially not for that one,” reacted François Asensi (DVG), head of the municipality of Tremblay-en-France for more than 32 years, upon learning of his selection in the fall. last by the City Mayors foundation.
This is ultimately rather good since he was not named best mayor in the world 2023, although he was included in the “short list” of the nine finalists.
This year, the organization wanted to specifically recognize an elected official for “his remarkable contributions to friendship, partnership and cooperation between cities within the country and abroad”.
According to City Mayors, François Asensi had many arguments to put forward.
“Internationally, Tremblay maintains links with Cuba, Mali and Burkina Faso,” emphasized the foundation.
These three countries have expressed their interest in installing their teams there during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
The purely honorary title of best mayor in the world was finally awarded this Tuesday to Elke Kahr, mayor of Graz, in Austria "for her selfless dedication to her city and its inhabitants", underlines the foundation, also specifying that "her decision to share much of his salary with people in need has won admiration from around the world.”
Three other distinguished mayors
Three other mayors received specific distinctions.
Tony Keats, Mayor of Dover, Canada, received the 2023 Global Mayoral Community Award for his “extraordinary service to his city and its residents since 1996”.
Stefan Fassbinder, Mayor of Greifswald, Germany received the 2023 Global Mayors Friendship Award for his city's cooperation "with and support from communities in Ukraine, Poland and Brazil."
Manuel De Araújo, Mayor of Quelimane, Mozambique
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received the 2023 Global Mayors Jury Award for “his defense of democratic values” and “his initiatives to make Quelimane one of the most sustainable cities in Africa” .
No regrets therefore, even if François Asensi will not be able to follow in the footsteps of Philippe Rio, the first councilor (PCF) of Grigny (Essonne), elected best mayor in the world in 2021, by this foundation which has awarded this prize since 2004.