Gilles Bourdouleix, mayor of Cholet since 1995, announced on January 16 his bid for a sixth term in the municipal elections. Convicted on January 29 for the fatal fireworks accident on July 14, 2022, he faces an unusually hostile environment with seven competing lists. One of them is led by former deputies aiming to replace him.
Gilles Bourdouleix, affiliated with divers droite, has led Cholet, a town of 54,400 residents at the borders of Maine-et-Loire, Vendée, and Deux-Sèvres, since 1995. Easily re-elected each time, he confirmed on January 16 his intention to run for a sixth term in the municipal elections, with the first round set for March 15.
Yet, this campaign promises to be challenging for the outgoing mayor. On January 29, he was convicted by the courts in connection with the fatal accident during the July 14, 2022, fireworks display, an issue that may sway voter sentiment. Never before have so many lists been declared against him: seven in total.
Among the most prominent challengers is the duo of Isabelle Leroy, 58, head of the "Cholet, un nouveau jour" list, and Jean-Paul Brégeon, 62. Leroy, who served as Bourdouleix's deputy and first vice-president of the agglomeration, resigned in January 2024 and now aims for the mayoral position. Brégeon, first deputy until June 2025, would seek the presidency of Cholet Agglomération if victorious.
Backed by a coalition including Renaissance, Horizons, MoDem, and the Union of Democrats and Independents, these former allies also claim support from Les Républicains, the party to which Bourdouleix still belongs. However, following his 2024 legislative candidacy with backing from the Rassemblement national, Les Républicains appear hesitant to endorse him publicly, highlighting internal divisions on the local right.
