Var elected officials gathered to take action
The 9th Var Mayors' Trade Fair brought together local elected officials to discuss solutions to today's challenges.
On October 9, the Complexe Henri-Giran in Draguignan hosted the 9th edition of the Salon des communes et des intercommunalités du Var. A day packed with meetings, field exchanges, and the search for solutions to territorial challenges.
Strong mobilization for the territories
From the opening, the atmosphere reflected a drive for mobilization, with 110 exhibitors present in a difficult economic context. Mayors, intercommunality presidents, departmental and regional councilors, state representatives, and partners held numerous discussions to move forward together.
Speeches to set the course
Didier Brémond, president of the Association des maires du Var, defended a clear stance: restore the means for municipalities to act, simplify public action, and strengthen local resilience against climate crises. He congratulated the 58 new mayors among the 153 municipalities of Var, who received a medal.
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David Lisnard, president of the Association des maires de France, identified four major challenges: climate, demographic, social, and digital. He reaffirmed the strength of municipalities and their ability to build a hopeful future.
Jean-Louis Masson, president of the Département, reaffirmed his commitment to fairness between Var territories and his support for municipalities, despite a particularly tight budget context.
François de Canson, vice-president of Région Sud, praised the central role of mayors, recalling that local action cannot succeed without close, strong cooperation between local authorities, the Region, and the State.
The prefect of Var emphasized the need for ongoing dialogue between the State and elected officials, particularly regarding risk management, security, and support for local projects. His conclusion was: "Var needs France and France needs Var!".
A voice for the agricultural world
Max Bauer, guest at the fair and agricultural union leader, shared his thoughts on a useful, lively, and necessary gathering where local actors can finally speak directly to one another. According to him, this type of meeting is essential to make the realities of the agricultural world heard and to build adapted responses for rural municipalities.
Fire management at the heart of discussions
The afternoon round table, dedicated to this summer's fires, made a strong impression. Feedback, prevention, crisis management, and solidarity between municipalities were central to the exchanges, in a Var department that still remembers the violence of the flames.
While the challenges are immense, the response from Var is clear: unite forces, stay close to fellow citizens, listen to local needs, and turn ideas into projects for the benefit of residents and the public interest.
Photo Philippe OLIVIER.