Christelle Mange, the Mayor of Chéraute, has secured a vice-presidency seat in the Agglomération following a decisive assembly vote. Her victory follows a public challenge against the selection process and a perceived lack of gender parity within the territorial poles.
A Challenge to Political Arrangements
The intercommunal executive is formed through territorial poles that designate four representatives. These include an animator, a member of the permanent commission, and a pair from which the President of the Agglomération, Alain Iriart, selects a vice-president.
In the Soule pole, Mange denounced “arrangements between left-wing political parties to propose four men.” While she was designated as part of a pair alongside Bernard Lougarot, President Iriart initially chose Lougarot for the vice-presidency.
Qualifications and Courage
Mange argued that the principle of parity was not even considered for the designated pair. She pointed to the community’s “governance pact,” which explicitly states a “will to increase the feminization of each instance.”
With sixteen years of experience as a mayor, Mange asserted her readiness for the role. “I am as qualified as Bernard Lougarot,” she stated, noting she has the same years of commitment and has transformed her commune.
A Symbolic Victory for Representation
Mange urged the assembly to view the vote as an issue larger than a single seat, aiming to tell local women “that they count.” Her speech was met with applause from both women and men in the assembly.
The result increases the number of women among the 15 vice-presidencies from four to five. While this represents one-third of the executive and remains far from the objective of full parity, the moment is regarded as significant.
This struggle mirrors previous observations by Maité Pitrau, the former mayor of Tardets, who discussed the difficulties women face when holding power .
This event could potentially encourage other female elected officials to challenge traditional selection processes. It may also lead the Agglomération to more strictly adhere to the feminization goals outlined in its governance pact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Christelle Mange?
Christelle Mange is the Mayor of Chéraute and a newly elected vice-president of the Agglomération.
How was the vice-presidency for the Soule pole decided?
After President Alain Iriart initially chose Bernard Lougarot from a designated pair, Christelle Mange challenged the decision and ran for the position in a vote by the assembly.
What is the current gender balance of the vice-presidencies?
Notice now five women out of fifteen vice-presidents, which constitutes one-third of the group.
Do you believe that formal governance pacts are sufficient to ensure gender parity in local government?
