Olivier Grima Elected President of Agglomération d'Agen Amid Political Shift

Olivier Grima has been elected president of the Agglomération d'Agen, securing 43 votes against 37 for Laurent Bruneau in a tightly contested election on April 9, 2026. This result marks a significant political shift within the community of over 100,000 residents across 44 communes. Grima, former mayor of Castelculier, called for unity and continuity in governance, urging council members to vote according to their convictions rather than political rivalry. He emphasized the continuation of major projects and clarified that despite discussions, the Agglo and the city of Agen remain distinct entities, dispelling fears of a merger.

Laurent Bruneau, mayor of Agen and the defeated candidate, cautioned about the risks of a split between the city and Agglomération, which could lead to a complicated, costly demutualization process. Bruneau will continue playing a role as the fourth vice-president. Another candidate, Michaël Fargue, underscored the need to address intercommunal debt issues rather than political maneuvers.

The newly elected leadership includes vice-presidents from diverse communes, reflecting a broad representation. Grima now faces the task of unifying a politically divided territory and managing the Agglo's governance amid evolving local dynamics.