Jean-Michel Rousseaux is back on the campaign trail for the municipal elections in Brignoles, with the aim of making "a real breakthrough"

In the Brignoles political landscape, he is far from being an unknown. For more than 20 years, Jean-Michel Rousseaux has navigated between majority and opposition, with, as his last experience, a defeat, against Didier Brémond. It was during the 2020 municipal elections, after which the man had "taken a step back" , without however ceasing to observe the life of the city. "I am never far from politics" , he says with an equivocal smile as he addresses the issues that he seems to know like the back of his hand.

It will take that to try to take the town hall from the popular chief magistrate in office, whose first full term was not expected to be so difficult to finish. The issue of parking, made chargeable on the surface a few weeks ago, has sparked opposition on the networks, without it being possible to know if this will translate into the ballot boxes in March 2026 (the 15th and 22nd). In any case, it is with this hope that Jean-Michel Rousseaux presents himself to the voters, armed with a fiercely displayed desire to pose as a "candidate of rupture" . What does that mean?

You are returning to the campaign for the 2026 municipal elections. Why?

This has been a long, hard process. What prompted me, some time ago, to take the plunge was my own observation. I live in Brignoles, and I don't share the path the town has taken, the state it's in. And few voices have been raised to make something different heard.

You lost in 2020, quite clearly. What has changed since then?

Political life is made up of victories and defeats. The people of Brignoles had made their choice, but today, it is clear that they have been betrayed on many issues.

Which ones?

Overall, this is the path Brignoles is taking. It's not about flashiness, but about reestablishing important foundations. The identity of Brignoles, which we are losing. If we have to summarize the break I want to make, it's about concreting the city. Yes, Brignoles must grow, assume its role as the driving force of green Provence, but it must be done in a measured way, and not excessively as is currently the case.

Didier Brémond's mandate has achieved many things, such as the Cours Liberté.

We all know how to pour concrete. But successfully implementing a truly urban project, one in which people feel good, safe, and with re-established social ties, is a different story. This vision has been completely ignored in favor of a purely real estate development-focused approach.

Are you thinking about the historic center?

Yes, this is where we see the failure of Didier Brémond's policy. We should have used the funding earmarked for urban renewal towards the old town. This historic center where significant investments are necessary, not only from a financial point of view, but especially in terms of political vision. We will only save Brignoles' image in a sustainable way if the historic center regains its vitality. This is the mother of all battles. We have built buildings all around it, but we have allowed the heart to collapse. This is not the Brignoles we want to see.

There is still the cinema...

The cinema is one thing, although I'm curious to know the actual attendance. But above all: Cours Liberté is empty, from morning to night. There's no activity, no life.

The issue of parking has been much discussed. What do you think of the decision to make surface parking chargeable?

I am totally opposed to it in Brignoles, given the state of development of the city. I would question the delegation of public service once elected. For me, it is a mistake and a political error. It is perhaps what blew the lid off on the part of the population, but things were already boiling when the residents saw these tower blocks that are distorting the nature of the city. The parking issue has allowed people to speak out, to confront the current municipality's policies with the reality of its actions.

The current municipality's policy has nevertheless led to the obtaining of a certain number of aid schemes, which Didier Brémond sought.

When Action Cœur de Ville appears, it's there, it's up to it to go and get them. So much the better, I'm not going to stupidly criticize what's been done. What works will be continued and improved, but what doesn't work, we'll come back to it. If Brignoles benefited from aid, it's because it's Brignoles, the capital of central Var, a municipality essential to the functioning of the agglomeration. Aid and credits will continue to be mobilized.

Moving on to your program, what are your priorities for Brignoles?

I want another way of doing politics. Participatory democracy is sorely lacking (1). We are in the ^21st century, we must involve the population in the major decisions of the municipality. Then, I want us to find a city project, in all neighborhoods. With, as a priority, the city center, so that it becomes pleasant to live in again. So that the inhabitants reclaim this historic center. Today, we forget the identity of the city, its historical and social function, with a population that must be taken into account. We want to make Brignoles against the Brignolais.

A word about the other projects you will be defending?

Commercial and economic attractiveness is one issue. Sporting attractiveness is also one issue.

A gymnasium was built…

It doesn't replace a real sports policy; it's about providing equipment. You have to talk with associations based on your desire to offer a range of activities. It's the same for cultural activities: I'm leading the project for a cultural space because the city needs a dedicated location to contribute to its influence. All of this is done with local stakeholders.

To talk about the urban community, what is your vision of the role you could play there?

I wasn't in favor of the agglomeration, because it strips the municipalities of their essential skills. However, I want to use the richness and diversity of the municipalities of Green Provence for a common project. And to make up for the delays, particularly on Oréval [waste treatment plant, editor's note], which has caused a real mess. But also on economic development, on transport...

Last question: if you are defeated, will you sit in opposition this time?

Yes. But I'm not considering the option of defeat, because I've heard too many echoes from the city telling me that it wants and needs to turn the page.

1. The candidate also has a support committee chaired by Vincent Chila.