Laure Lavalette wants to prepare the maritime future of Toulon

She was also joined by the environmentalist candidate for the city hall of Toulon, Emmanuel Le Lostec. Present on Olivier Lesage's list in 2020, Emmanuel Le Lostec was a lead candidate in the municipal election. "He is making the choice to withdraw to join the Un Avenir pour Toulon list and carry the project of a local ecology and a pragmatic transformation of our city. I thank him for his confidence and his commitment to the service of the people of Toulon. After the rallying of Robin Cloedt (ex-UDI), coach David Gérard, Vice-Admiral Mallard, or Fabien Sorrentino, the great gathering that I have been calling for since the launch of the municipal campaign continues to be put in place. If the people of Toulon place their trust in me, I will appoint Emmanuel Le Lostec deputy for the environment, the protection of natural heritage, and greening," explained Laure Lavalette.

A CAREER IN SERVICE OF THE NAVY

On February 3, the candidate had already officialized the joining of Vice-Admiral Jacques Mallard, former commander of the carrier strike group, to her "Un Avenir pour Toulon" list. A symbolic and strategic prize for the RN deputy. A recognized expert on military issues, this general officer has thus joined the campaign team. His career is inseparable from recent naval history. Enlisting in the armed forces in 1991 upon graduating from the École navale, Jacques Mallard served under the flag for 34 years before retiring in the summer of 2025. A fighter pilot stationed on the Super Étendard, he operated from the aircraft carriers Foch and Charles de Gaulle. After commanding a frigate and holding positions at the central level, he ended his career as admiral commanding naval forces, notably leading the carrier strike group. For Laure Lavalette, this joining follows a precise logic concerning the future of Europe's leading naval base: "The Méditerranée is Toulon's greatest wealth. It carries a cultural, historical, tourist, industrial, environmental, and educational dimension." If the "Un Avenir pour Toulon" list wins the elections on March 15 and 22, Jacques Mallard will be assigned a tailor-made portfolio. "I will entrust Jacques Mallard with the mission of deputy for the sea, the maritime economy, and relations with defense," confirmed Laure Lavalette. This cross-functional role aims to prepare for the major milestones related to the arrival of the future next-generation aircraft carrier and to bring a "maritime dimension to all the city's projects." •