Le Figaro Bordeaux
Some elections are more symbolic than others.
Since the creation of the urban community of Bordeaux in 1968, which became Bordeaux Métropole in 2015, seven men have succeeded one another at its head.
Since this Friday, March 15, and for the first time, it is now a woman who chairs the institution.
Christine Bost, socialist mayor of Eysines, replaced Alain Anziani, winning 73 of the 104 votes of metropolitan elected officials.
Alain Anziani, who decided to remain mayor of Mérignac and metropolitan councilor, announced on March 4 that he was giving up his role as president of the metropolis, because of his state of health.
The elected socialist is in fact suffering from two cancers and Parkinson's disease.
During the vote this Friday, March 15, many mayors paid tribute to him.
“You did too much, I don’t deserve all this, I only did my duty
,” he replied to them with humility.
“I have always said that as soon as I am no longer able to carry out all of my duties, I will face the consequences.”
“The particular circumstances which lead me to take back the helm of this great ship that is Bordeaux Métropole impose on me all the more commitment and respect as I admire the way in which Alain Anziani has worked for our metropolis since 2020 and the courage, dedication and dignity he has shown in recent months
,” emphasized Christine Bost at the start of her first speech as president.
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“I am honored, happy and moved”
In addition to the 31 socialists and 31 ecologists, Christine Bost also managed to convince certain right-wing and center mayors to vote for her, bringing together eleven votes more than the total of PS-EELV elected officials.
Once elected, the president of the metropolis spoke about her career, recalling having joined the department as an elected official 23 years ago, before becoming mayor of Eysines 16 years ago, on March 15, 2008. The former mayor of the city, Pierre Brana, was also present in the audience.
“Thank you for thinking that a woman like me was a man like any other
,” she said to her predecessor.
“Despite the particular circumstances, I am honored, I am happy but also moved to be the first woman to chair this institution. To date, there are only five women out of 22 to preside over metropolises and within our institution there are only seven women out of 28 municipalities to be mayors.
Christine Bost also shared her emotion for
“the signal that this sends to all women, to all young women and to all little girls”
, believing that
“even if we are still very far in many areas from occupying the higher functions, the simple fact of being a little more visible in the landscape opens new paths
.