“It is essential to send this strong signal, but it will be insufficient if the mayors do not regain the power to act,” warns the mayor of Grigny

Philippe Rio was himself the victim of two attacks during his role as mayor of Grigny, in Essonne.

“It is essential to send this strong signal, but it will be insufficient if mayors do not regain the power to act”said Tuesday February 6 Philippe Rio, communist mayor of Grigny, in Essonne, while the National Assembly is considering a text providing for the strengthening of the security of elected officials confronted with violence.

Philippe Rio was himself the victim of two attacks in his town, classified as one of the poorest in France. “We face phenomena of violence when we cannot respond to demands which are sometimes completely hallucinatory and when reason no longer exists”testified the mayor of Grigny.

Increasing violence

More than 2,300 acts of violence against elected officials were recorded in 2023, according to the Ministry of the Interior. An increase of around 15% compared to 2022. “We have people who act out, who threaten extremely strongly, who threaten those around them, who threaten public service agents and who attack us”, explained Philippe Rio. He sees it as a reflection of a society where violence is “everywhere”. “We cannot escape this because we are at the heart of society. We cannot escape a phenomenon which goes beyond us”continued the elected communist.

The mayor of Péage-de-Roussillon (Isère), André Mondage, was beaten up in Avignon on the night of December 21 to 22, 2023 by two nationalist individuals while he was accompanied by his mixed-race daughter. “It goes beyond the limits. There are many mayors who are afraid today of serving their mandate”said Philippe Rio.

Since his attacks, the mayor of Grigny sometimes lives under protection: “There have been some adjustments. In moments of tension, we sometimes have a little support, let’s put it that way. We’re careful. It can be functional protection”he explained.

Up to seven years in prison for perpetrators of violence

The transpartisan text, adopted at first reading in the Senate, provides for increased penalties in the event of violence against local elected officials. They could face up to seven years of imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 euros. A measure also provides for a “functional protection” on request for local elected officials with an executive mandate.

Philippe Rio was elected “best mayor in the world” in 2021 by the City Mayors Foundation of London for his fight against poverty and his management of the Covid crisis. The mayor of Grigny still keeps the faith and has never thought of resigning: “I have extraordinary teams. There are residents who face much more difficult difficulties than mine and who continue to fight, to mobilize, to believe in it. This hope is very present and therefore I forbid giving up.”