The Médiascopie Institute conducted an exclusive survey aimed at measuring and understanding citizens’ perceptions of Mayors. On the eve of municipal elections, it is curious and interesting to discover the ideal profile of the “Mayor” as desired by “his” voters. The numerous candidates can refer to it to adjust the aim of their campaign…
The mayor, an impartial and responsible actor.
The added value of an ideal mayor lies in his function as a guide of communal action, in his ability to properly manage his community, and in his symbolic role as a bulwark protecting it.
Citizens expect proximity from their mayor, but they do not see him as a social worker, let alone a confidant, because the mayor is a public figure, and they fear clientelist abuses. In reality, mayors must assume the protective guise of everyday organizers.
Facing the worrying image of the metropolis, residents expect their mayor to maintain, as much as possible, the nostalgic notion of the “village.”
To successfully carry out his missions, the mayor is surrounded by deputies and the municipal council. This small world is expected to adopt an attitude of listening, exchanging, and debating, rather than merely serving as a “rubber stamp.” It’s the paradigm of a mayor who gathers viewpoints and shows attentiveness before making decisions that stands out.
Finally, to renew the relationship of trust between mayors and their constituents, three watchwords: action (a mayor who does a good job), honesty (an honest mayor), and information (elected officials who are accountable).
Some particulars…
Social
Citizens are cautious about the mayor’s ability to initiate an effective and visible social action. Regarding health, he must work for the autonomy of his citizens and enable them to meet their professional and personal obligations by relieving them of some family constraints (dependency, early childhood, etc.). As for social diversity and actions targeting marginalized groups (homeless people, immigrants, traveling people…), they are judged with even more circumspection and only come second in expectations.
Security
The figure of the mayor, guarantor of public tranquility, remains well identified. And while security objectives are clear, the resources appear insufficient; human (gendarmes, police station and municipal police) are not enough to restore confidence to residents, nor are material resources (arming municipal police and installing surveillance cameras).
Economy
The top priority is the economy and employment, which does not solely depend on the mayor. To stimulate economic development, less is expected of direct employment policy than of action to invigorate the local economic fabric, through businesses (helping local businesses and attracting companies to the municipality) and appropriate tools (professional integration of young people, recruitment by the municipality for future-oriented jobs for those under 25, and employment houses).
The mayor, a planner
More than being a planner, an expected mayor is one who knows where he’s going, equipped with a vision of planning oriented towards enhancing the living environment, well-being, and quality of life.
Transport
The French clearly identify their mayors with road maintenance and development — as a specific competence — and with public transport servicing the community — as cooperation between communities. While expectations depend on the place of residence, there is a growing demand for new modes of transportation, particularly clean and gentle transport, and implicitly, a strengthening of intermodality.
Urban planning
The perceived scope for action by the mayor is too fragmented here. The most anticipated levers: the construction of housing or social housing, which nevertheless struggles to climb to the top of expectations. As for the cost of housing, it is also the point where municipal action currently appears the most powerless.
Commerce
Beyond the heterogeneity of situations, the question of desertification dominates. Hence the attachment to local shops, a bulwark against the inevitable “slow death” of social life: shops and markets, fairs, clearly outpace commercial zones.
Entertainment
There is a dichotomy between the positive judgment attributed to occasional traditional activities (multipurpose room/party halls and events, local festivals, etc.) and the judgment received by everyday outings (“activities for going out at night” and places of conviviality: cafes, restaurants, etc.). Their absence and, more broadly, the lack of activities that “speak to young people” are lamented.
Tourism
Tourist activity in the community remains anticipated: it is most considered a strong point of municipal action.
Budget
Citizens are known to be resistant to local taxes: nonetheless, budgetary rigor must be at the heart of municipal management. More than preserving the municipality’s investment capacities, it is the reduction of municipal investment and the control of communal expenses that are preferred.
