Les Elections Municipales dans le village d'Epargnes en Charente Maritime ( France)
French and English version.
Le dimanche 23 mars 2014 les habitants du village d' Epargnes devaient remplir leur devoir de citoyen en allant voter pour une liste de candidats motiv�s pour g�rer et entreprendre de nouveaux projets dans le petit village d' Epargnes.
Ce village repr�sent� par le m�me Maire depuis 25 ans (3 mandats de 6 ans et un de 7 ans ) pr�sentait trois listes pour environ 815 habitants.
Epargnes est un bourg tranquille de Saintonge situ� � 6 km de l'estuaire de la Gironde,sur un domaine agricole et viticole. Une cinquantaine de hameaux constitue la commune d'Epargnes. L'�glise est particuli�rement int�ressante avec un escalier ext�rieur et m�rite une attention particuli�re car son architecture commence � se d�grader.
Le commencement de la campagne �lectorale.
Quelques semaines avant les �lections du 23 mars 2014. Dominique a a �t� contact� par Michel ( le premier adjoint sortant) pour faire parti de son �quipe de colistiers afin de pr�senter aux habitants d' Epargnes un projet pour les 6 ann�es � suivre.
la liste intitul�e : "Un nouveau souffle pour Epargnes" est constitu�e de 11 personnes de diff�rentes professions dont certains jeunes retrait�s, ce qui � mon avis est l'id�al pour pouvoir assurer le poste de Maire � plein temps. Aujourd'hui une carri�re professionnelle ne vous laisse que tr�s peu de temps pour assurer un autre emploi qui, lui aussi, n�cessite concentration , �nergie .....
Certains membres de la liste ont d�j� eu une exp�rience de conseillers municipaux et d'autres une tr�s bonne formation financi�re .... (Doc 2)
La deuxi�me liste intitul�e: Epargnes "sous un autre regard" est constitu�e de quinze personnes dont Elisabeth ancienne conseill�re municipale du village qui se pr�sente en tant que Maire en opposition avec son cousin le Maire Sortant .
Dans cette liste il y a des hommes et des femmes de m�tiers divers et des retrait�s, le programme pour les 6 ann�es est sensiblement le m�me que celui de Michel. Le seul grand avantage d' Elisabeth est qu'elle est native d' Epargnes, poss�de des terres agricoles, et jouit d'une grande popularit� aupr�s des anciens et des familles �tablies dans le village depuis longtemps.
La troisi�me liste est celle du Maire "sortant" intitul�e "l'exp�rience et la jeunesse pour votre avenir"
Elle reprend elle aussi sensiblement les m�mes th�mes abord�s dans les deux autres listes �tant donn� que la r�union publique de l'�quipe s'est tenue le lendemain des autres �quipes,donc un avantage certain pour reprendre des id�es int�ressantes de chaque �quipe.
Apr�s avoir envoy� les trois listes � la pr�fecture, la campagne va pouvoir commencer et chaque liste propose un programme/ un projet appel� "" profession de foi". (d�claration publique de son programme).
Pendant la p�riode de campagne �lectorale, certains adversaires n'h�sitent pas � utiliser la calomnie, et m�me intimider de fa�on diverses une personne qui pourrait pr�senter une menace de non r��lection!
Dans un village voisin une voiture a �t� incendi�e lors d'une r�union �lectorale. (Doc 3)
Le dimanche 23 mars environ 600 habitants d' Epargnes se sont d�plac�s pour voter pour une des trois listes. Dans les villages de moins de 1000 habitants, les �lecteurs ont la possibilit� de rayer un nom d'une liste et d'y ajouter un autre nom d'une autre liste, cette pratique ( inconnue pour moi jusqu'alors) est appel�e "panachage". Ce qui �videmment complique un peu les choses lors du d�pouillement!!!
Le r�sultat de l'�lection a �t� communiqu� le lundi dans le journal "Sud Ouest" apr�s un d�pouillement qui s'est termin� � 3 heures du matin!!!
La liste de Michel n'a pas re�u l'enthousiasme des Epargnais,( voir R�sultats 3), habitu�s � voter pour un m�me homme depuis 25ans ....... Le proverbe anglais "Mieux vaut le Diable que l'on connait que le Diable que l'on ne connait pas" a �t� suivi � la lettre pendant toutes ces ann�es.....
C'est donc pour cette raison et d'un commun accord que Michel et ses colistiers ont d�cid� d'appuyer la candidature
d' Elisabeth pour la mairie du village. Sa sinc�rit� dans son discours,sa bonne volont� et son programme sensiblement similaire � celui de Michel semblait un bon choix, l'�quipe � donc d�cid� de reporter toutes ses voix sur la liste d'Elisabeth pour le second tour des Municipales le dimanche 30 mars 2014.( Doc 4)
La troisi�me liste men�e par le Maire sortant et la liste d'Elisabeth sont donc les seules pr�sentes au second tour des �lections municipales et c'est apr�s un d�pouillement cette fois-ci plus rapide que le r�sultat obtenu est favorable � la liste d'Elisabeth. Ce n'est qu'au premier conseil municipal que les conseillers �lisent leur Maire, mais la liste du Maire sortant n'ayant eu que 2 �lus sur 15, Elisabeth ne pouvait qu'�tre �lue Maire d'Epargnes au premier conseil.(Doc 5)
Pour nous, Parisiens d'origine, c'est la premi�re fois qu'une �lection suscite autant d'engouement. Les femmes et les hommes qui se pr�sentent dans les villages n'ont aucune �tiquette politique ce qui accroit l'int�r�t du vote. Cette premi�re exp�rience de Dominique en tant que colistier �tait int�ressante et a aussi permis de rencontrer une �quipe d'Epargnais de diff�rents horizons ce qui aujourd'hui renforce notre int�gration dans un village un peu farouche.
Remerciements au journal Sud Ouest pour les documents 2 / 4 et 5.et au journal " Haute Saintonge" pour le document 3
English version
The "Municipale" elections in the village of Epargnes Charente Maritime ( France)
On Sunday March 23rd 2014 the people living in Epargnes had to do their duty as a citizen and vote for a list of motivated candidates to manage and undertake new projects in the village of Epargnes.
There were three lists for about 815 inhabitants including the village Representative who had been managing the Mairie for 25 years ( 3 six-year mandates and 1 seven-year mandate).
Located on farming and wine producing area, about 6 kilometres from the Gironde estuary,Epargnes is a quiet village in the Saintonge region. About 50 hamlets are included in the commune of Epargnes.
The church is of interest, especially with its outdoor staircase and deserves a special attention because its structure is increasingly deteriorating.
The start of the election campaign.
A few weeks before the elections on March 23rd 2014, Dominique was contacted by Michel (the outgoing First Deputy Mayor) to join his team in order to present a programme for the next six years.
The list called "A breath of fresh air for Epargnes" was composed of eleven people from various lines of work including young retired people. I personnally think that it is a full-time job and being retired is a great asset for a commune. Today, people don't have the time for a professionnal career and another job that needs the same concentration ,energy ......
Some candidates in the list had already experienced working as municipal councillors before and others had financial experience ....( Doc2)
The second list called " A New Focus for Epargnes" was composed of 15 people including Elisabeth who was a former municipale councillor. She was running for the Mayor's office and was the outgoing Mayor's first competitor.
In this list there were men and women working in various businesses, including some retired people, the programme was more or less the same as Michel's. But Elisabeth had a great asset, she was an Epargnes native, had agricultural land and enjoyed a good reputation especially with the seniors and families who settled a long time ago.
The third list was the one of the outgoing Mayor called "Experience and Youth for your Future"
The programme was not very different from the programmes of the other two lists since the public meeting was held the day after Michel and Elisabeth's public meeting. Therefore they could take some interesting ideas from the opposing teams.
After sending the three lists to the Prefecture, the election campaign could start and each list presented a programme or projects called " la Profession de Foi" ( public declaration of a programme)
During the election campaign, some opponants used defamation and slander and didn't hesitate to threaten the future electors using various ways of intimidation when they thought they might not be elected again.
In a village nearby, a car was burnt during an electoral meeting.( Doc 3)
On Sunday March 23rd about 600 people went to the polls to vote for one of the three lists. In villages with fewer than 1000 people, the voters can cross off a name from a list and write someone else's from another list,this procedure ( unfamiliar to me up to now) is called "Panachage".= ( mixture) which of course makes the counting of the votes a bit difficult....
The result was sent to the newspaper " Sud Ouest" after counting until 3 O'clock in the morning!!!
Michel's candidates didn't receive the enthusiasm from the people of Epargnes (see R�sultats 3) used to voting for the same man for 25 years......better the Devil you know than the Devil you don't !!! ( the instructions were followed word for word!!!)
Therefore, Michel and his team decided to support Elisabeth's candidacy for the Mairie d'Epargnes. The sincerity of her speech and enthusiasm and her programme similar to Michel's seemed to be the right choice, so the team decided to transfer their votes to Elisabeth for the second elections on Sunday March 30th.
( Doc4)
So there was the third list led by the outgoing Mayor and Elisabeth's list left, for the second elections.
Then after devoting less time to counting the votes, Elisabeth was elected but she was not the Mayor yet.
Councillors had to vote for the Mayor on the first municipale Council.
However ,as the outgoing Mayor's list got 2 elected representatives out of 15, Elisabeth was almost certain to be elected as Maire of Epargnes. ( Doc5).
As we are natives of Paris, we can say that it's the first time we have been excited by an election.The men and women running for a Mairie's office don't stand for any political parties which adds an interest in voting.
Dominique's first experience as an electoral candidate was very rewarding and it helped in meeting new friends natives and non natives of Epargnes. It has strengthened our integration in a suspicious and wary village.
Acknowledgements : Sud Ouest newspaper Doc 2/4 and 5 and " Haute Saintonge" newspaper Doc 3
French and English version.
Le dimanche 23 mars 2014 les habitants du village d' Epargnes devaient remplir leur devoir de citoyen en allant voter pour une liste de candidats motiv�s pour g�rer et entreprendre de nouveaux projets dans le petit village d' Epargnes.
Ce village repr�sent� par le m�me Maire depuis 25 ans (3 mandats de 6 ans et un de 7 ans ) pr�sentait trois listes pour environ 815 habitants.
Epargnes est un bourg tranquille de Saintonge situ� � 6 km de l'estuaire de la Gironde,sur un domaine agricole et viticole. Une cinquantaine de hameaux constitue la commune d'Epargnes. L'�glise est particuli�rement int�ressante avec un escalier ext�rieur et m�rite une attention particuli�re car son architecture commence � se d�grader.
Le commencement de la campagne �lectorale.
Quelques semaines avant les �lections du 23 mars 2014. Dominique a a �t� contact� par Michel ( le premier adjoint sortant) pour faire parti de son �quipe de colistiers afin de pr�senter aux habitants d' Epargnes un projet pour les 6 ann�es � suivre. |
| document 2 |
Certains membres de la liste ont d�j� eu une exp�rience de conseillers municipaux et d'autres une tr�s bonne formation financi�re .... (Doc 2)
La deuxi�me liste intitul�e: Epargnes "sous un autre regard" est constitu�e de quinze personnes dont Elisabeth ancienne conseill�re municipale du village qui se pr�sente en tant que Maire en opposition avec son cousin le Maire Sortant .Dans cette liste il y a des hommes et des femmes de m�tiers divers et des retrait�s, le programme pour les 6 ann�es est sensiblement le m�me que celui de Michel. Le seul grand avantage d' Elisabeth est qu'elle est native d' Epargnes, poss�de des terres agricoles, et jouit d'une grande popularit� aupr�s des anciens et des familles �tablies dans le village depuis longtemps.
La troisi�me liste est celle du Maire "sortant" intitul�e "l'exp�rience et la jeunesse pour votre avenir"Elle reprend elle aussi sensiblement les m�mes th�mes abord�s dans les deux autres listes �tant donn� que la r�union publique de l'�quipe s'est tenue le lendemain des autres �quipes,donc un avantage certain pour reprendre des id�es int�ressantes de chaque �quipe.
Apr�s avoir envoy� les trois listes � la pr�fecture, la campagne va pouvoir commencer et chaque liste propose un programme/ un projet appel� "" profession de foi". (d�claration publique de son programme).
 |
| document 3 |
Dans un village voisin une voiture a �t� incendi�e lors d'une r�union �lectorale. (Doc 3)
Le dimanche 23 mars environ 600 habitants d' Epargnes se sont d�plac�s pour voter pour une des trois listes. Dans les villages de moins de 1000 habitants, les �lecteurs ont la possibilit� de rayer un nom d'une liste et d'y ajouter un autre nom d'une autre liste, cette pratique ( inconnue pour moi jusqu'alors) est appel�e "panachage". Ce qui �videmment complique un peu les choses lors du d�pouillement!!!
Le r�sultat de l'�lection a �t� communiqu� le lundi dans le journal "Sud Ouest" apr�s un d�pouillement qui s'est termin� � 3 heures du matin!!!
La liste de Michel n'a pas re�u l'enthousiasme des Epargnais,( voir R�sultats 3), habitu�s � voter pour un m�me homme depuis 25ans ....... Le proverbe anglais "Mieux vaut le Diable que l'on connait que le Diable que l'on ne connait pas" a �t� suivi � la lettre pendant toutes ces ann�es.....
 |
| document 4 |
 |
| R�sultats 2 |
 |
| R�sultats 1 |
d' Elisabeth pour la mairie du village. Sa sinc�rit� dans son discours,sa bonne volont� et son programme sensiblement similaire � celui de Michel semblait un bon choix, l'�quipe � donc d�cid� de reporter toutes ses voix sur la liste d'Elisabeth pour le second tour des Municipales le dimanche 30 mars 2014.( Doc 4)
 |
| R�sultats 3 |
 |
| document 5 |
Remerciements au journal Sud Ouest pour les documents 2 / 4 et 5.et au journal " Haute Saintonge" pour le document 3
English version
The "Municipale" elections in the village of Epargnes Charente Maritime ( France)
On Sunday March 23rd 2014 the people living in Epargnes had to do their duty as a citizen and vote for a list of motivated candidates to manage and undertake new projects in the village of Epargnes.
There were three lists for about 815 inhabitants including the village Representative who had been managing the Mairie for 25 years ( 3 six-year mandates and 1 seven-year mandate).
Located on farming and wine producing area, about 6 kilometres from the Gironde estuary,Epargnes is a quiet village in the Saintonge region. About 50 hamlets are included in the commune of Epargnes.
The church is of interest, especially with its outdoor staircase and deserves a special attention because its structure is increasingly deteriorating.
The start of the election campaign.
A few weeks before the elections on March 23rd 2014, Dominique was contacted by Michel (the outgoing First Deputy Mayor) to join his team in order to present a programme for the next six years.
The list called "A breath of fresh air for Epargnes" was composed of eleven people from various lines of work including young retired people. I personnally think that it is a full-time job and being retired is a great asset for a commune. Today, people don't have the time for a professionnal career and another job that needs the same concentration ,energy ......
Some candidates in the list had already experienced working as municipal councillors before and others had financial experience ....( Doc2)
The second list called " A New Focus for Epargnes" was composed of 15 people including Elisabeth who was a former municipale councillor. She was running for the Mayor's office and was the outgoing Mayor's first competitor.
In this list there were men and women working in various businesses, including some retired people, the programme was more or less the same as Michel's. But Elisabeth had a great asset, she was an Epargnes native, had agricultural land and enjoyed a good reputation especially with the seniors and families who settled a long time ago.
The third list was the one of the outgoing Mayor called "Experience and Youth for your Future"
The programme was not very different from the programmes of the other two lists since the public meeting was held the day after Michel and Elisabeth's public meeting. Therefore they could take some interesting ideas from the opposing teams.
After sending the three lists to the Prefecture, the election campaign could start and each list presented a programme or projects called " la Profession de Foi" ( public declaration of a programme)
During the election campaign, some opponants used defamation and slander and didn't hesitate to threaten the future electors using various ways of intimidation when they thought they might not be elected again.
In a village nearby, a car was burnt during an electoral meeting.( Doc 3)
On Sunday March 23rd about 600 people went to the polls to vote for one of the three lists. In villages with fewer than 1000 people, the voters can cross off a name from a list and write someone else's from another list,this procedure ( unfamiliar to me up to now) is called "Panachage".= ( mixture) which of course makes the counting of the votes a bit difficult....
The result was sent to the newspaper " Sud Ouest" after counting until 3 O'clock in the morning!!!
Michel's candidates didn't receive the enthusiasm from the people of Epargnes (see R�sultats 3) used to voting for the same man for 25 years......better the Devil you know than the Devil you don't !!! ( the instructions were followed word for word!!!)
Therefore, Michel and his team decided to support Elisabeth's candidacy for the Mairie d'Epargnes. The sincerity of her speech and enthusiasm and her programme similar to Michel's seemed to be the right choice, so the team decided to transfer their votes to Elisabeth for the second elections on Sunday March 30th.
( Doc4)
So there was the third list led by the outgoing Mayor and Elisabeth's list left, for the second elections.
Then after devoting less time to counting the votes, Elisabeth was elected but she was not the Mayor yet.
Councillors had to vote for the Mayor on the first municipale Council.
However ,as the outgoing Mayor's list got 2 elected representatives out of 15, Elisabeth was almost certain to be elected as Maire of Epargnes. ( Doc5).
As we are natives of Paris, we can say that it's the first time we have been excited by an election.The men and women running for a Mairie's office don't stand for any political parties which adds an interest in voting.
Dominique's first experience as an electoral candidate was very rewarding and it helped in meeting new friends natives and non natives of Epargnes. It has strengthened our integration in a suspicious and wary village.
Acknowledgements : Sud Ouest newspaper Doc 2/4 and 5 and " Haute Saintonge" newspaper Doc 3
Les �lections dans un village de 800 habitants
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