Who is Thibaut Guiraud, the new mayor of La Rochelle?

With his tricolor sash slung over his shoulder and his central seat conquered, the new mayor of La Rochelle cannot show any ingratitude towards his predecessor . "At the moment I take on this responsibility, I fully appreciate what I owe you, and what La Rochelle owes you," Thibaut Guiraud tells Jean-François Fountaine. This first speech is a hagiography, and for good reason.

Elected since 1992, mayor since 2014, aged 74, still the boss of a shipyard, the former regatta sailor had a plan: to let go of the helm of the La Rochelle ship before the end of his second term, find a new captain, and "stay the course" by remaining president of the urban community until the elections. The first two maneuvers went as planned. Monday evening's vote was a mere formality: Thibaut Guiraud had done the hardest part four days earlier, narrowly winning the internal primary for the municipal majority.

Installing a dolphin was not Jean-François Fountaine's style, he had sworn it... my