Renaud Muselier resigns from the presidency of the South Region following his election to the Senate

Elected senator for Bouches-du-Rhône on Sunday, September 27, 2026, Renaud Muselier confirmed on Monday his departure from the presidency of the South Region. A plenary assembly will meet on October 12 to designate his successor. The elected official will remain a special regional adviser and will retain several portfolios, including European funds and the 2030 Winter Olympic Games.

Renaud Muselier is leaving the presidency of the South Region. The day after his election to the Senate, the president of the regional authority confirmed on Monday, September 28, 2026 that he signed his resignation letter on Sunday evening.

“I signed my resignation letter from the presidency of the Region on Sunday evening at 8 p.m.”, states Renaud Muselier. The new Renaissance senator must go to Paris as early as Tuesday to “settle a few matters.”

Renaud Muselier also clarified his position in the Senate. “I will sit within the Senate majority”, declared the new senator for Bouches-du-Rhône.

A plenary assembly on October 12 to designate his successor

The succession at the head of the South Region will be officially organized during a plenary assembly scheduled for October 12 at 11 a.m. Renaud Muselier has already expressed his wish to see François de Canson take the presidency of the authority.

“I wish François de Canson to be president. He is a respected mayor, a recognized local elected official”, declared Renaud Muselier during a press conference devoted to “the future of the South Region”.

Mayor of La Londe-les-Maures, François de Canson could therefore succeed him at the head of the South Region against Christian Estrosi. The choice will, however, have to be put to a vote by regional councillors during the session on October 12.

Renaud Muselier will moreover retain a mandate within the authority. The former president will remain “special regional adviser” and will continue to follow several portfolios.

“European funds, Winter Olympics and relations with Bouches-du-Rhône” will in particular be among the subjects followed by Renaud Muselier. The preparation of the 2030 Winter Olympic Games in the French Alps is thus among the portfolios that the elected official wishes to continue to oversee.

Political liaison with Bouches-du-Rhône will also remain in his remit. Renaud Muselier must therefore leave the presidency of the South Region while retaining a role within the institution.