His announcement dampens the mood a little. However, everyone, including the mayor of Rantigny Dominique Delion, seems happy to participate in the municipality’s greeting ceremony, Friday January 10. But that was before the elected official announced his decision. He does not intend to run for a third term in 2026.
Before making it official, Dominique Delion explains at length his own personal tensions. He even tries to troll everyone. “I will not be a candidate for the…presidential election,” he said with a smile. But when it comes to seriously announcing his final decision, the chief magistrate’s voice ends up breaking under the influence of emotion. Followed by long applause from the entire audience.
Emotion versus reason
Why this declaration, more than a year before the municipal deadline. First of all, the calendar. “In 2026, there will be the compulsory reserve duty before the elections,” explains Dominique Delion. And the mayor of Rantigny wanted to take stock of everything that has been accomplished since his first election in 2014.
Then, Dominique Delion opens up like never before on the reasons which could push him either to come back or to leave the place. They can be summed up as a constant conflict between “emotion and reason.”
“I prefer to fade away before bitterness”
“Emotion wants me to continue the adventure with those without whom everything that has been accomplished could not have been achieved,” analyzes Dominique Delion. “Reason dictates that we should not do things for the wrong reasons.” And to decide: “duty will guide my decision. You have to know how to turn the page.”
The chief magistrate adds: “I do not want to be one of those who hang on without being able to guarantee a lasting commitment. I prefer to step aside before bitterness and resentment overwhelm me. I am not leaving disillusioned, but with the feeling of a duty accomplished.”
10 years of projects and achievements
Among the achievements accomplished, Dominique Delion cites finances first. “The daily work site. “We had to optimize and rationalize spending in order to free up resources to invest in increasing taxes,” explains Dominique Delion.
He adds various investments. In particular the work of the town hall, work to bring several roads and their signage up to standard, and the improvement of public lighting. Plus various public or private projects, such as the installation of a new pharmacy or the opening of a maternal assistance center.
And there is still time and space for a few projects like the redevelopment of the Caterpillar wasteland. Or that of the Data Center on the Avon wasteland. “A three billion euro operation with considerable economic benefits,” promises the mayor of Rantigny.
