François de Canson elected president of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region

Elected this Monday, October 12, 2026 in Marseille, François de Canson succeeds Renaud Muselier as head of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region. The sole declared candidate, the mayor of La Londe-les-Maures obtained 83 votes in the first round. The new president intends to continue in the footsteps of his predecessor while putting his own mark on the local authority.

The change of presidency was expected within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regional council. After Renaud Muselier’s resignation, elected senator for Bouches-du-Rhône on September 27, regional councillors met this Monday, October 12 in Marseille to designate his successor. François de Canson, a member of the majority classified as various right (DVD), was elected with 83 votes out of 123 regional councillors.

The result corresponds to the composition of the chamber, where the right and centre majority has 83 elected members, against 35 councillors from the National Rally and its allies, to which five non-affiliated members are added. The sole declared candidate, the mayor of La Londe-les-Maures in the Var, needed to obtain at least 62 votes to accede to the presidency.

No competing candidacy was presented by the National Rally. « A candidacy of convenience would have made no sense. We know how to do mathematics », justified Franck Allisio on the matter.

A few minutes after the vote, Pierre-Paul Leonelli, president of the majority group Our Region First, hailed « a man of conviction. » Christian Estrosi, first vice-president of the Region and responsible for ensuring the interim following Renaud Muselier’s departure, was also present during the vote.

A term marked by continuity until the 2028 regional elections

Aged 61, François de Canson is already familiar with how the local authority operates. Mayor of La Londe-les-Maures since 2008, the newly elected official has served on the regional council since 2015. Until his election, he held the position of third vice-president, with responsibilities related to economic development, attractiveness, tourism and major risk prevention.

Supported for several months by Renaud Muselier, who had made François de Canson his designated successor, the new president announced his intention to continue the policy initiated by his predecessor. The transition should in particular make it possible to maintain oversight of files already underway, including that of the 2030 Winter Olympic Games.

However, François de Canson intends to put his own mark at the head of the South Region. His term opens as preparations are already being made for the next regional elections, scheduled for 2028. The new president of the South Region thus chaired his first plenary assembly shortly after.

For his part, Renaud Muselier retains his regional councillor mandate despite his departure from the presidency. Following his resignation, Christian Estrosi had temporarily assumed the functions of president, in accordance with the provisions of the General Code of Local Authorities. This Monday’s election thus ends this interim period and opens a new chapter for the regional executive.