It's done, François Cornileau declares himself at the town hall of Hyères

Creation of a political association, public statements, meetings, sponsored content on social networks... The candidacy of François Cornileau, deputy mayor for urban planning (UDR), had been a mystery for several weeks. Now it's official! The announcement was made this week during a press briefing at his office (which still smelled of paint) on rue Ambroise-Thomas.
"The union of the right and the center!" This was the leitmotif of the meeting, to which he had associated five of his future running mates, who were supposed to illustrate the political union he wishes to build.
At the same time, Mayor Jean-Pierre Giran's current deputy for urban planning announced that he was handing over his delegations. He wrote to the chief magistrate and the prefect to this effect this Friday. He remains a municipal councilor.
Why be a candidate?"We are Hyérois because we love this city, not necessarily because we were born there (the question comes up regularly and the mayor has often been accused of not being Hyérois. François Cornileau arrived in the city of palm trees in 1980)". "The Union of Hyérois is a commitment to building a new project, a new dynamic in Hyères and awakening the sleeping beauty" . "I feel capable of being mayor, I have solid skills (he cites his professional background in National Education and that of elected official) in education, in HR, public management, urban planning..."
The choice of timing"I stayed as long as possible, until the last council meeting (on June 20) before the campaign accounts opened in September." "The mayor always said he was there for two terms. I committed to two terms (...). I thank him for his confidence."
His judgment on the mayor's record"The overall results are positive. Of course, not everything is rosy, and we (the elected representatives of the majority, Editor's note) are not ultimately the decision-makers. The first term helped to restore the city's finances. It's a success. And the municipal staff contributed to it. Self-financing now allows us to finance the Espace 3.000 renovation project. On security, it's not a failure, but there's a difference between perception and reality. The mayor thinks it's a feeling of insecurity (that the people of Hyères feel, Editor's note) , and that's a key difference in my eyes: there is, in Hyères as elsewhere, a deterioration in security. Of course, there has been a lot of investment, but there is room for maneuver."
Does he take responsibility for urban planning?Jean-Pierre Giran has been accused for years of concreting the city. François Cornileau, the urban planning delegate, signed the building permits. He says he "takes responsibility" for the mayor's record in this area and also points out the constraints imposed by regulatory texts (Local Urban Plan, Local Housing Program, etc.). "There were 3,000 housing units built between 2014 and 2024, but the population did not increase. If that hadn't been the case, it would have decreased by 2,000 inhabitants. We need housing to house the people of Hyères (...). Moreover, day-to-day urban planning also means protecting and helping families who sometimes struggle to achieve their life's goal."
His political positioningA member of Eric Ciotti's Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR), François Cornileau is a member of the national secretariat and the Var political bureau. He left LR after following Eric Ciotti but was primarily a companion of Philippe de Villiers within the Movement for France. He presents the Union of Hyérois list as a "right and center" list. His first running mates reflect this political spectrum, even though, for the time being, he has not shown any political party support. "Our list is open to all based on the charter of the Union des Hyérois (visible on the association's Facebook page). It can include people from the RN, like Yves Kbaïer (head of the list supported by the RN in 2020), Patrick Collet or Jean-Michel Eynard-Tomatis (currently elected RN to the municipal council and candidate for his party's nomination for the municipal elections, Editor's note) whose humanist values I know. They have their place on the list, there are discussions."
What about the support of the UDR and the RN?François Cornileau has requested the UDR's investiture. "This is being discussed within the framework of party agreements with the RN (Eric Ciotti's party is an ally of Jordan Bardella's). The UDR investiture entails the support of the RN. We are awaiting the RN's decision. (...) Openness is a kind of plural right that goes from the center and potentially all the way to the RN; it is ultimately achieving what the left has been achieving for decades with the plural left."
Campaign themes"Security, proximity, attractiveness" are the three main themes of the project "to breathe new life into Hyères," which are spelled out in bold on the posters at the campaign headquarters. While it is still too early to elaborate on the program, some projects have already been finalized.
The first projectsHe announced a moratorium on the Rougières ZAC project (which the local interest committee is requesting). "I am in favor of launching a broad consultation to make it a success. We can get down to 400-450 homes." Pointing to the situation in the Bosquets neighborhood (insecurity and traffic), he assures that "there will be no Bosquets 2 project that no one wants."
François Cornileau wants to create a large leisure center. Another priority is "accelerating the energy renovation of municipal buildings and air conditioning schools and daycare centers." He also hopes to create a "community center."
Elected members of the majority with him in SeptemberThe team will take advantage of the summer to meet the people of Hyères, "it's not just about having their photo taken with them," he says placidly. At the start of the school year, François Cornileau will reveal new names from his team, including those elected officials from the current Giran majority who are committed to his side.
Office hours at 6 rue Ambroise-Thomas. Open Saturday mornings starting today. Other days by appointment. Tel.: 07.68.63.09.56. www.françois-cornileau.fr
49 years old, middle school principal in Ollioules, married, two children. Elected to the mayoralty in Jean-Pierre Giran's team in 2014, re-elected in 2020 where he became deputy for urban planning. Several times candidate: for mayor (MPF label) in 2008 on Jean Donzel's list, in the departmental elections with Lucette Ritondale in 2010, in the legislative elections in 2002 and 2007, in the European elections in 2004.
He was a member of Philippe De Villiers' Movement for France since 1998. Upon his death, he joined LR, which he left in 2024 with its president Eric Ciotti, founder of the UDR.
Var-Matin