"Building the future with the people of Ramatuelle": Deputy Finance Minister Michel Franco, candidate for the 2026 municipal elections

Michel Franco had opened the door to a candidacy this fall, when the municipal elections still seemed far off. But the conditions were not yet met.

This time, his speech is made more fluid by the decision of the current mayor, Roland Bruno, not to run again. "It's a bit like a mission that I embrace with enthusiasm and optimism," he says, illustrating the strength of his commitment.

How did your commitment come about?

During the previous term, I met with the mayor. I wanted to get involved; I was interested in missions in the fields of health and forestry. I've been a member of the forest fire committee since the 2017 fire. But I understood that you had to be elected to be able to take action. That's what pushed me to get involved in the municipality in 2020.

How do you see this candidacy?

The idea is to continue the work started by Roland Bruno and bring together those who want to work in this direction. The common thread is the well-being of the people of Ramatuelle and working for the general interest. We leave political ideas at home. And we agree on a program for the village. One red line: the extremes. I had discussed with the mayor the possibility that he would not represent me. And if he supported me, I was up for it. It's no secret, there was a meeting of the majority to invite potential candidates. And I applied.

Will the name of the list reflect this continuity?

I would like the list to keep the same name, "Union for Ramatuelle." The mayor will decide.

Your uncle, Georges Franco, was elected before you. Is he a role model?

Yes, he's a role model. I'm committed to following in the footsteps of my uncle, who continues as vice-president of the CCFF. It's something that was important to me; it wasn't a passing of the torch, but he was inspiring. I saw what it was like to commit to your community. I followed in his footsteps.

How did you approach this role as an elected official?

Very quickly, we created a group on ecological transition with Benjamin Courtin and the support of the mayor. We really wanted to be proactive. We invested in the communal market gardening project that was close to our hearts: not only is it producing organic vegetables, but it's also coupled with an educational project with children. This work seemed essential to us to train adults who are sensitive to healthy eating. We also invested in the renovation of the school complex, which is connected to a wood-fired boiler and thermally insulated.

You have also been a link between the municipality and the economic world.

This was also a great discovery: it allowed us to discuss and understand their issues. I invested a lot in revitalizing the village, in a participatory approach. It was important to listen, to compare our ideas: we then see what is possible and what is not. It shifted the boundaries, which is very good.

Precisely, the revitalization of the city center... What are your first impressions?

I'm delighted with the work in the town center. It seems to me that it has changed the landscape of the village. The shopkeepers seem relatively happy, we'll see. The municipality has set up shops in the castle. Soon there will be a butcher, a fishmonger, and a bakery. I hope this revitalization work will bear fruit. The municipality is also working on pedestrianization: I'm in favor of experimenting. We're testing it and taking stock. We're going to propose it in July and August (6 p.m. and 11 p.m.) to calm things down in the village. We must reconcile respect for local residents, the environment, and the business world.

We mentioned the village: Pampelonne is its coastal counterpart. Another setting to be preserved.

There's no paradox between the economy, landscape preservation, and quiet sound. Tourists come to Ramatuelle because it hasn't been concreted over; everyone has an interest in protecting this environment. This is part of its appeal. The next term will be decisive for Pampelonne, because there will be a renewal of concessions, we'll have to define the economic model we want, and perhaps more diversity will be needed. There will be a lot of thought.

How do you prepare your ideas?

This program will be co-developed with the residents of Ramatuelle. This is what was done during the previous campaign. I have ideas, but it will be enriched by the population's requests. What do we want for the Ramatuelle of tomorrow? There will be several themes, such as youth: the municipality is currently implementing the culture pass, but it's not enough. I would like a dedicated center.

Access to housing remains central.

The municipality has made many acquisitions thanks to its healthy finances, to allow permanent residents to settle in at moderate rents. We will continue, because it's difficult for the residents of Ramatuelle. And there is also a municipal commitment to seasonal housing. We have launched a thorough study of needs.

Does your program include monitoring of parking issues around the village?

Of course, when you listen to the business community, they complain about the parking problem. We're waiting for the conclusions of the latest studies. If underground parking meets the needs, we'll do it. My idea is that it should remain free. We're also looking for alternatives on the immediate outskirts of the village. Shuttles are one answer, but they're not enough.

Is there a file that is close to your heart?

It's a difficult issue: the reuse of wastewater from the treatment plant. We discharge 450,000 cubic meters of water into the sea every year. We're capable of producing high-quality water to irrigate market gardens. It's a political will, but it goes beyond the municipality. I'd like to fight to ensure we don't lose this water that ends up in the sea.