the president of the department targeted by a preliminary investigation for abuse of authority

An association is criticising Germinal Peiro for not having started work to demolish a disputed road diversion around the village of Beynac, near Brive-la-Gaillarde, France Bleu Périgord has learned.

The president of the Dordogne departmental council, Germinal Peiro, is the subject of a preliminary investigation for abuse of authority in the context of a contested road diversion, France Bleu Périgord learned on Tuesday September 10 from the Bergerac prosecutor’s office, confirming information from Marianne.

This investigation was opened after a complaint filed in March 2023 by the association Defend the General Interest in Dordogne (DIGD), accusing the president of the department of not having started the demolition work of a disputed road diversion around the village of Beynac, southwest of Brive-la-Gaillarde. The site is classified among the most beautiful in France with its perched medieval castle.

This project began in 2018 before being cancelled by the administrative courts in 2019. However, the Dordogne department has had to pay late payment penalties on several occasions, for failing to demolish and restore the site within twelve months. The last conviction dates back to April 2024, when the Bordeaux administrative court of appeal ordered the department to pay an additional 1.4 million euros.

A new Beynac bypass project was the subject of a public inquiry, the favourable opinion of which was given this Tuesday. “I think it’s not a coincidence, but at the same time it’s good news that all the people of Périgord can benefit from.”commented Germinal Peiro on Wednesday morning on France Bleu Périgord, that is to say the opinion of the public inquiry in favour of the second Beynac bypass project. “I think it’s on purpose”he continues, assuring that he has not “absolutely” not “dragged feet”. “All this is foam that has no importance”replies the president of the department. He is also pleased with the opinion of the public inquiry, which is favorable to the second Beynac bypass project.

“It is a victory for the department’s teams who have been working on this case for a long time. But above all, it is a victory for all the people of Périgord because it is the general interest that has prevailed in this case against the interest of a few individuals.”

Germinal Peiro, President of the Dordogne Departmental Council

on France Bleu Périgord

The Bordeaux research section is in charge of the investigation for abuse of authority. The Bergerac prosecutor’s office specifies that for the moment, there is nothing to indicate that there has been an offence. The president of the department has not, to date, been heard as part of this investigation, specifies France Bleu Périgord.