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The delegations of authority were awarded to elected representatives by the President of the Collectivité territoriale, Xavier Lédée. This distribution had been awaited since the renewal of the Executive Council (EC) at the Territorial Council meeting on Tuesday June 3. It was via an online publication on Tuesday June 17 that the Collectivité announced the allocations decided by Xavier Lédée.
Marie-Angèle Aubin (3rd vice-president), the president's only direct ally on the Executive Committee, has taken on a dual role. She has been entrusted with delegations of signature for the following areas: economy, foreign labor, regional planning, urban development, health (a delegation which, since the beginning of the mandate, had been assigned to Marie-Hélène Aubin).Marie-Hélène Bernier, first vice-president), transport, port and airport affairs, social affairs. All these functions will be "sub-delegated" to Melissa Lake (economy, transport and foreign labor), Fabrice QuerrFabrice Querrard (regional planning), Olivier Gréaux (urban planning, port and airport affairs) and Cécile Tessier (social affairs).
Newly elected 2nd vice-president, Francius Matignon (Saint-Barth d'Abord group) inherits the responsibilities of education, environment, digital construction and energy transition. Bettina Cointre (Action-Équilibre) retains culture, David Blanchard sports and Rudi Laplace the environment.
Alexandra Questel refuses delegations
However, only two territorial decrees published on the Collectivité website confirm these attributions, for Francius Matignon and Marie-Angèle Aubin. What's more, the online publication of these decisions came as a surprise to 4th Vice-President Alexandra Questel. The elected representative and leader of the Saint-Barth d'Abord group expressed her surprise to President Lédée.
While she thanked him for the "mark of confidence", since she had been entrusted with the same delegations as Bettina Cointre, she asserted: "For the time being, I have not signed any delegation of authority. And I have decided not to accept any. Indeed, I do not wish to add confusion to the current political instability. Accepting the delegations that you have formalized in your press release and as you have conceived them would only place our community's services in an uncomfortable and paralyzing situation. "Alexandra Questel considers that "there can only be one captain on board" and launches: "As President of the Collectivité, it is up to you to fully exercise this responsibility until the end of your term of office. "
As a member of the Executive Council and President of the Tourism Committee, she intends to continue investing in the realization of projects "that will have a positive impact" on the island and its population.
In 2027, Saint-Barths will be able to vote again, and we hope they will elect a coherent and stable majority with a real long-term project for our island," she writes. This will put an end to the day-to-day management we suffer today. "The race for the 2027 presidency is therefore officially on.
Marie-Hélène Bernier ousted
At the same time, first vice-president Marie-Hélène Bernier was ousted by Xavier Lédée. This comes as no surprise, since the President announced it on June 3, justifying his decision by the fact that Marie-Hélène Bernier had taken legal action against him for slanderous denunciation. My work over the past three years is indisputable, and the messages of recognition I've received bear witness to this," comments the 1st Vice-President. My three years in this position have enabled me to bring many projects to fruition and achieve tangible results, attesting to my commitment and dedication. Nothing can stop me from continuing to work for the good of our young people, despite this decision. "
A convivial and serene atmosphere settles in before the territorial council meeting on June 27.
