A twist that only fuels tensions between Aix-en-Provence and Marseille. This Friday afternoon, in full council of the metropolis, at the end of a debate on the budgetary orientations of this local authority chaired by Martine Vassal (LR), the new mayor of Aix-en-Provence Sophie Joissains (UDI) announced her resignation, as fifth vice-president in charge of metropolitan reform.
In question ? The negotiations currently being carried out between the government and the metropolis on the future of compensation allocations, this aid to municipalities castigated by Emmanuel Macron when he came in early September.
Compensation attributions at the heart of a conflict
An amendment providing for a reduction in these compensation allocations was in fact recently tabled by the government. “I telephoned your office who told me that he was not aware, explains Sophie Joissains, visibly annoyed. When I had Jacqueline Gourault on the phone, they all told me: “But, it does not come out of nowhere! It was done in consultation and on the proposal of the metropolitan executive”. “
And to accuse the president of the metropolis of negotiating, without saying it, this reform. “When I hear that you are taken for the muse of the municipalities and that I know the role that has been yours, it is unacceptable. It is unacceptable, Madam President, to have a double talk in this way. “
Martine Vassal accused of exerting pressure
The mayor of Aix-en-Provence did not stop there, and accused Martine Vassal of exercising a kind of blackmail for subsidies from the municipalities of the department. “The fact that you are both president of the metropolis and of the department inevitably leads to pressure on the municipalities which all need subsidies from the department, criticizes Sophie Joissains. We know it well. This means that this institutional pressure keeps everyone’s word. The city councilor finally said she was ready to go to the administrative court if she was, in turn, a victim of pressure.
In response, Martine Vassal, who described this speech as “anachronistic”, expressed “respect” for the mother of Sophie Joissains, and former mayor of Aix-en-Provence Maryse Joissains. “I have just written to your mother by hand, breathes Martine Vassal. With the ton of insulting letters that I received supposedly signed by Madame Maryse Joissains, she should not have all the ins and outs. “
“We are not here to give lessons”
And to accuse: “I understand that for you, it is very complicated to take over. You have to be up to the task Madam, when you are elected by universal suffrage as was my case, you are not there to give lessons. I understand that you want to have some legitimacy. This legitimacy, the day you are re-elected, then you can have it. “
The former senator Sophie Joissains (UDI) was projected at the head of the town hall of Aix-en-Provence last September, replacing her mother Maryse (LR), officially resigning for health reasons, and sentenced to a penalty of ineligibility for embezzlement of public funds.