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On Monday March 3, the Action-Equilibre group tabled a motion of no-confidence in the Collectivité. The aim is to oust President Xavier Lédée in favor of Marie-Hélène Bernier, First Vice-President and head of the Action-Equilibre list. The no-confidence motion was hand-delivered by Bettina Cointre to the General Services Department. The group announced its action in a press release published online shortly after 1.30pm. The published text reads:
“This Monday morning, the elected members of the “Action Équilibre” group tabled a Motion of No Confidence against local authority president Xavier Lédée. The last Territorial Council meeting once again highlighted Xavier Lédée's inaction and unwillingness to work with all elected representatives. What's more, in view of Xavier Lédée's statements to members of parliament, which are likely to call into question the status of our local authority, we couldn't stand by and do nothing. As the only legitimate group in a position to do so, we are assuming our responsibilities and have therefore decided to table this Motion. This move is part of our determination to break the deadlock and bring our future projects to a successful conclusion. Hélène Bernier is well known for her energy and determination, and has a motivated and competent team around her. Unlike Xavier Lédée, she will be calling on all elected representatives to volunteer, in an attempt to make up for the backlog accumulated over the past three years. Each elected member will have to assume his or her responsibilities at the forthcoming meeting, where a minimum of 10 votes will be required. If this motion does not receive the necessary number of votes, Xavier Lédée will remain in place, with all the risks this entails for the island, and will continue to give a deplorable image of our community. The elected representatives will therefore vote according to their conscience and decide whether they wish to provide the Collectivité with the stability it needs.”
President Xavier Lédée must now convene the elected members of the territorial council for an exceptional meeting. Councillors will be asked to vote on whether or not to dismiss the current president in favor of his first vice-president. The Action-Equilibre group has eight elected members, the Saint-Barth d'Abord group six and the Presidential group five. For the president to be ousted from his seat, the Action-Equilibre group needs ten votes in favor.
More details in the coming days.
