It is urgent to give mayors the means to act against territorial devitalization
In an op-ed published by Le Monde, an author warns about the growing devitalization of French territories and advocates for strengthening mayors' powers. This devitalization threatens rural and peri-urban areas through population loss and economic decline. The call emphasizes the urgency of concrete measures to revitalize these spaces.
The op-ed, published on September 30, 2025, in Le Monde's Ideas section, highlights the crisis of devitalization affecting many French territories. The author argues that mayors, as frontline local actors, sorely lack resources to counter this phenomenon. 'It is urgent to give mayors the means to act against the devitalization of territories,' he states, echoing the article's very title.
This issue manifests as demographic and economic erosion in rural and peri-urban areas, where businesses close and public services dwindle. Without tailored measures, these territories risk an irreversible spiral of decline. The author calls for a revision of national policies to grant more autonomy and funding to municipalities, enabling mayors to launch local revitalization projects.
In a context of growing territorial disparities in France, this opinion fits into a broader debate on decentralization. Although the article provides no specific figures, it evokes the urgency of a trend observed for years. Balanced perspectives include the potential role of mayors as pivots for innovative initiatives, while acknowledging the budgetary challenges faced by local authorities.
The underlying implication is that without swift action, national cohesion could be compromised. This op-ed urges policymakers to rethink support for local elected officials to preserve the vitality of French territories.