At 80 years old, Laurent Cathala, the socialist mayor of Créteil for 49 years, is launching his ninth municipal campaign despite a previous promise not to run again. He aims to block La France insoumise and complete urban development projects. His alliance is limited to the Parti communiste, as the Ecologists declined the invitation.
Laurent Cathala, a socialist elected as head of Créteil since 1977, is beginning his ninth campaign for the municipal elections. At 80 years old, he dismisses criticisms about his age: “People talk about the mayor's age, but I still have things to do,” he states. Six years ago, he had promised that the 2020 election would be his last, but he is returning to “block La France insoumise”: “I don't want to hand them the keys to the town hall.”
Despite weak opposition, La France insoumise could pose a challenge. Cathala presents a renewed list named “Bien ensemble,” in exclusive alliance with the Parti communiste. The Ecologists refused to join after the mayor excluded the closure of the incineration plant from his program.
The candidate emphasizes stability and experience to complete his projects. Among them, urban renovation in the priority neighborhood of Haut du Mont-Mesly including a park, a green space in a new complex of 800 housing units near the future Grand Paris Express station, and an educational farm. “I want to finish my urban development work for the city,” he asserts, describing Créteil as a city he has “in his flesh.”
Cathala, a former ally of Laurent Fabius, highlights his attachment to the commune, the prefecture of Val-de-Marne. His office is filled with gifts from local football team players, symbols of his decades at the town hall.