Political Poster Dispute Escalates in Saint-Victoret's Election Campaign
Ongoing dispute over political poster regulations heats up in Saint-Victoret's electoral campaign.
Key Points
- • Pierre Gelsi continues to display campaign posters despite mayor's objections.
- • Mayor Claude Piccirillo claims posting is illegal before six months of the election.
- • Local residents show indifference to the political conflict.
- • Gelsi files complaints against Piccirillo for harassment and abuse of authority.
The contentious atmosphere surrounding the 2026 municipal elections in Saint-Victoret intensifies as a dispute over political posters unfolds. Opposition candidate Pierre Gelsi has actively placed his campaign posters, but Mayor Claude Piccirillo argues that this is premature and illegal, stating such activities should commence six months prior to the elections scheduled for March 2026.
On March 5, Piccirillo issued a formal order demanding that Gelsi remove the posters within 48 hours, threatening him with a fine of €3,750 and potential imprisonment of up to six months if he did not comply. This confrontation has led Gelsi to accuse the mayor of abusing his authority to stifle political opposition, prompting him to file complaints against Piccirillo for harassment.
Local residents have largely expressed apathy towards this unfolding dispute, suggesting that they have already made their political choices. Many seem detached from the political skirmish, viewing such conflicts as commonplace in electoral seasons. Despite the mayor's insistence on adhering to campaign regulations, Gelsi has escalated the situation by seeking guidance from the sub-prefect and legal assistance agencies regarding his right to campaign.
In a recent development, it was revealed that a municipal order from early June categorizes specific areas as 'free expression' zones, which could seemingly permit Gelsi's posters to remain. Nevertheless, Gelsi continues to report that municipal agents have been removing his materials, further complicating the legal and political landscape of the campaign as he continues to fight back against what he perceives as an illegal attack on his ability to campaign effectively.