David Lisnard’s campaign to remain president of the Association of Mayors of France (AMF) is facing growing scrutiny as his bid for the French presidency begins to take shape. Lisnard, who leads the Nouvelle Energie party, says the tensions reflect a charged political climate ahead of the presidential election.
The AMF’s 34,000 members, representing nearly all of France’s mayors, will choose their president in an electronic vote from November 23 to 25, during the association’s annual congress in Paris. Lisnard will face Philippe Laurent, the mayor of Sceaux in Hauts-de-Seine and a member of the Union of Democrats and Independents.
Criticism of Lisnard has increased since he left the Republicans in March. One objection is that pursuing the presidency of France may sit uneasily with leading an association that seeks consensus. Lisnard says the roles are kept separate and that he ensures this is the case at the AMF.
Former minister Marc Fesneau has described Lisnard’s dual ambitions as a “mixing of roles” and raised an ethical concern, saying the mayor of Cannes is “playing on both fronts.” Lisnard, in turn, has linked the criticism to the tense political atmosphere and the approaching presidential election.
Sources: Le Monde Politique.