French elections

[TonyF]

Well it was election day here in France yesterday, local elections and half of the cantonale which are sort of the same as country council elections in the UK.

Very different system here but for a number of reasons I wont bore you with I was a candidate on the mayor's list and guess what, I got voted in! I'm the first Brit to do so in my commune and in this canton which is a major tourist centre so I'm a bit chuffed to be honest.

And I got more votes than several of the people already on the Council or whose families have lived in the commune for generations so that made me feel even better.

The new mayor has asked me what 'commission' I would like so I've told him recycling/bio things (very big thing here, very left wing area and a high priority politically) and second string on tourism because I speak English, which he thought was a good idea.

First meeting Friday evening ...........

[scared55]

Well it was election day here in France yesterday, local elections and half of the cantonale which are sort of the same as country council elections in the UK.

Very different system here but for a number of reasons I wont bore you with I was a candidate on the mayor's list and guess what, I got voted in! I'm the first Brit to do so in my commune and in this canton which is a major tourist centre so I'm a bit chuffed to be honest.

And I got more votes than several of the people already on the Council or whose families have lived in the commune for generations so that made me feel even better.

The new mayor has asked me what 'commission' I would like so I've told him recycling/bio things (very big thing here, very left wing area and a high priority politically) and second string on tourism because I speak English, which he thought was a good idea.

First meeting Friday evening ...........

Well done Tony and good luck with your duties.

We are a very small commune (pop 174) and our sole list had just the right number of names on it, so voting was easy. Our Maire, who is also Conseil Général, has stood down as Maire after, I think, 38 years, so it will be interesting to see who takes the job on next.

KK

[beefy]

Well done Tony.

[Flummery]

Well done that homme! I'd have voted for you! Seriously, recycling and sustainability are important everywhere and it will be good to have a voice from someone who's actually doing stuff, not just preaching the theory. Congrats and don't forget we knew you before you were famous!

[pigletwillie]

Congratulations Tony. It must be nice to see your so well thought of in your commune I am certain you will do them proud.

[smallblueplanet]

Good news TonyF - how fab to be able to make a change for the better.

[Sue]

TonyF
Most impressed, congratulations, will be looking out for future progress reports.
Sue

[whigger]

Very well done indeed mate.....very pleased for you. Let us all know how you get on.

[trousers]

thats great ,hope you enjoy wellie salutes you ala pino grigio!!!

[shirlthegirl43]

Well done you! Do we have to call you sir now?

[TonyF]

Thanks for all the good wishes folks. I've spent the day (after getting the local and national papers this morning and then went to the chateau to make sure the plants are ok - I'll start a different thread on that later) finishing off tiling the toilet - reality check time.

What I really want to do is finish my recycled material fruit tunnel but the weather is just foul and is likely to stay bad for a couple of days. J's muttering darkly about redecorating the spare bedroom before the new bathroom gets installed so it seems I will be gainfully occupied for the next few days - wonder if there's any Council things I should be doing

[seasprout]

oh Tony well done.
You will be perfect for such a role.

[Seahorse]

Nice one Tony

[marialittlebzz]

I am so glad to see that people in your area are not "against foreigners" ! The usual assumption ( tell if I am right) is that Brit buy houses in France and never get involved in the community, most of them coming for holiday time only... and local people keep distance with such people, blaming them to rise the price of housing. It seems that you are the proof that it's not always the case, and your locals are open and surely ready to have you "a la Mairie" !
Well done I am sure it's the beginning of a great adventure