There will “probably” be a shortage of candidates in the next municipal elections according to the association of rural mayors of France

The shortage of candidates for the 2026 municipal elections could be even greater than in 2020, Éric Krezel, vice-president of the Association of Rural Mayors of France, warned this Tuesday on France Inter.

In the next municipal elections, in 2026, it will be missing “probably” candidates, warns Éric Krezel, vice-president of the Association of Rural Mayors of France (AMRF) on France Inter. “There is indeed a crisis in relation to this idea”he adds while the Senate examines on Tuesday March 5 a text on the “status of the local elected official” to encourage vocations.

“People don’t understand the role of the mayor”

The risk is that the shortage will be even greater than in the last municipal elections. In 2020, 106 towns and villages had no declared candidate, according to figures from the Ministry of the Interior consulted at the time by France Culture. This was already more than in previous municipal elections. In 2014, there were 62 municipalities without a candidate.

“A number of colleagues” by Éric Krezel say “tired”. “It’s so heavy on different levels”he points out. “In fact, people don’t understand the role of the mayor” And “take him for a superhero who will solve everything”. Another problem, the “famous millefeuille” administrative which “puts the mayor further and further from decision-making places”.

For him, this bill “answers a number of questions”. The senators want to increase the compensation ceilings, but also to facilitate the reconciliation between the exercise of the mandate and that of a professional activity.

In the upper house, these measures are almost unanimous. 309 of the 348 senators signed this text. The Assembly also has its bill on the subject. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who wants to improve the “status of the elected official”assured that he wanted to rely on the parliamentary work in progress.

Despite the difficulties, being mayor is worth it, according to Éric Krezel. “It’s a very rewarding job”he emphasizes. “We are not only within reach of slaps, we are also within reach of bonds of friendship. When we do a service, it’s nice”explains the mayor of Ceffonds (Haute-Marne).