“It’s been a lot of talk since this morning. And there are all opinions, ”comments the manager of a bakery in the city center of Saint-Brévin-les-Pins. In this small seaside town near Saint-Nazaire (15,000 inhabitants in winter, triple in summer), the topic of conversation of the day is obviously the resignation of the mayor, Yannick Morez (without label), announced Wednesday evening via a short press release. More than the withdrawal of this elected official since 2017, it is the circumstances that challenge everyone. The city councilor, a doctor by profession, justifies his decision by “personal reasons, in particular following the arson attack perpetrated at my home and the lack of support from the State, and after a long reflection carried out with my family” .
On March 22, the house and vehicles of Yannick Morez had indeed been set on fire, while the mayor had already been the target of threats since he supported the installation of a reception center for asylum seekers. asylum (Cada) in the town, a project supported by the State. On April 29, a demonstration by opponents of Cada, supported by far-right organizations, led to strong tensions.
“It’s really shocking”
“The mayor was fed up with it, I understand that. This story has gone much too far”, reacts Bruno, 45, at the exit of the bakery who does not “want to say more”. “It’s sad to come to this but it’s understandable. Attacking your home is still violent, ”adds Christiane. Like most Brévinois crossed in the streets this Thursday morning, José, says he is “shocked”. “Threats, harassment, it’s hard. But I didn’t think he would go so far as to resign. It’s sad. We are still in France. I knew him a little as association president, he respected everyone. Individuals who engage in such behavior have no business with us. You have to make them pay. “Not only did he resign but, in addition, I learned that he was going to leave the town where he has lived for thirty years [confirmé par Ouest-France]. It is truly revolting. I did not know him particularly but I support him. I might have done the same in his place, ”adds Estelle, 37.
President of attentive and united Brévinois collective, an organization favorable to the Cada project, Philippe Croze “felt this resignation coming”. “We felt that Yannick Morez was touched on the family level, he slips. It is regrettable that the methods of intimidation managed to make a mayor bend. We can also regret that he received no support from the state. His decision is a strong act for all elected officials. It is a sad day for democracy. It will stick in people’s minds, that’s for sure. »
Much less numerous and talkative, some residents crossed this Thursday morning show little concern about the resignation of the mayor. “The violence he suffered is not normal of course. But I think the mayor was wrong to be stubborn. This project has messed up the town. It was perhaps better for him to resign”, believes Thierry *. “So much the better, we had to listen to everyone. Putting unemployed migrants hanging around near a school is nonsense, ”said a young retiree.
“Never the slightest problem with migrants”
The project aims to transfer the current Cada to land near the city center sold by the municipality to the State. A primary school is nearby and about sixty housing units are to be built right next to it. The current accommodation center was opened in 2016 following the dismantling of the Calais jungle. “There have since been more than 400 refugees who have passed through Saint-Brévin and there has never been the slightest problem,” assures Philippe Croze. People who were skeptical at the start saw that things were going well. The oppositions are essentially the fact of external groups of the extreme right. The mayor was convinced that welcoming asylum seekers is part of the French tradition and I think he was supported for that. “I don’t understand the fears. There have been no problems with migrants as far as I know, confirms José. We must help them to find accommodation so that they have a chance to integrate. Let’s not forget that many of us are descendants of immigrants. “These poor people have to go somewhere,” says Christiane.
Beyond the inhabitants, Yannick Morez received many messages of support from national and local elected officials. “I understand this need to protect ourselves, reacts Roch Chéraud, mayor of Saint Viaud, neighboring town. But what a mess orchestrated by this minority, most of whom are outside our territory. This case is symptomatic of what awaits us in the short term and in a more massive way if the State does not pay more attention to mayors and elected officials. »
The gendarmerie investigations have demonstrated the voluntary nature of the fire which occurred at the home of Yannick Morez. The Nantes public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation for “destruction of property by a means dangerous to people, committed because of the status of person depositary of public authority”. No one has been arrested at this stage.
* The first name has been changed at the request of the interviewee