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Francius Matignon's commitment to the Saint-Barth d'Abord group has come to an end due to dissension and other political battles within the territorial council. On Friday August 1, the day before the adoption of the single financial account by the territorial council, the elected representative officially announced his decision to "withdraw from the Saint-Barth d'Abord group". This, he wrote, "following various consultations and in-depth reflection". An unexpected change of direction, to say the least, which somewhat reshuffles the cards of governance.
In an e-mail to the Journal de Saint-Barth, Francius Matignon affirms his attachment to his mission as a territorial elected official. He asserts: "This decision is the fruit of careful reflection, guided by a single objective: to serve the best interests of the people of Saint-Barthélemy with responsibility and determination. I work on a daily basis to advance the issues entrusted to me, particularly those relating to school affairs, which are at the heart of my commitments. This grassroots work, in close touch with the needs of families and educational teams, requires concrete action. "
Blocking "political calculations
Francius Matignon justifies his choice by citing a discrepancy with the positions adopted by his group. He explains: "In my opinion, the political direction taken by the Saint-Barth d'Abord group no longer meets the legitimate expectations of our fellow citizens. Too often, partisan strategies take precedence over issues that are essential to the development of our territory and political stability. I do not wish to endorse a system where political calculations block the dynamics necessary for the advancement of our collective projects. "These "calculations" nevertheless enabled Francius Matignon to take up the position of second vice-president of the Collectivité territoriale when the executive board was reshuffled on June 3. Even though he confirms: "I didn't want the executive council to be dissolved. "
"A catastrophic mandate
Francius Matignon assumes his decision, declaring: "My approach is one of responsibility, free from any partisan logic, with the well-being of the island's inhabitants as my sole compass. I will continue to act rigorously on behalf of Saint-Barthélemy, free from sterile opposition. I am fully committed to the general interest, with the conviction that fundamental work must take precedence in our public life. "From now on, the second vice-president will operate as a free electron within the territorial council. It's better to be alone than badly accompanied," he asserts. I don't want to take part in anything that goes against my morals, or in destabilizing the territorial council. This mandate is catastrophic and we mustn't cause any more damage. "
Furthermore, the elected official affirms that he has "no plans for a rapprochement" with President Xavier Lédée or Marie-Hélène Bernier's Action-Équilibre group. "My aim is to perpetuate the work carried out by Bruno Magras and preserve the island's assets by working in harmony," he explains. His departure from Saint-Barth d'Abord can also be interpreted as a desire to assert himself with a view to the territorial elections in March 2027. Francius Matignon doesn't deny it. Everyone has ambitions," he says. With twenty months to go before the elections, a lot can happen. You have to follow events step by step. Maybe I'll put together a list, but it's premature to take a position. I'm not campaigning, unlike Alexandra (Questel) or the President. I'm focused on the work that needs to be done on a daily basis. "
Alexandra Questel's reaction
Leader of the Saint-Barth d'Abord group since the withdrawal of Romaric Magras, Alexandra Questel was asked to comment on Francius Matignon's departure. She said: "I'd like to thank Francius for his commitment, both personally and on behalf of the group. In politics, you need a vision, but above all, the means to achieve it. This undeniably requires strategy. On behalf of the Saint-Barth d'Abord party, I wish him all the best for the future and every success in his future endeavors. "
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Micheline Jacques' scathing reply to Francius Matignon
Senator Micheline Jacques, territorial councillor for the Saint-Barth d'Abord (SBDA) group, has issued a scathing reply to Francius Matignon. In an online publication, the parliamentarian responds with ironic authority to the arguments put forward by the Collectivité's second vice-president to justify his "withdrawal" from SBDA.
"That's the last straw!"
"Dear Francius, I too thought long and hard before reacting publicly to your resignation, because I must confess that I didn't think you'd dare leave our group in this way! As far as I know, you weren't elected 2nd Vice-Chairman "unwillingly", but now you're denouncingnonces the "political calculations" of Saint-Barth d'Abord, the same ones that got you elected 2nd vice-president. You've got to admit, that's the last straw! I didn't think you'd dare accuse what you call our "partisan strategies": when you don't want to play politics, you don't get elected to a political assembly. If you were elected 2nd vice-president, it's because you ran on the "partisan" SBDA list which, with six members, had two seats on the executive board. Moreover, it's nothing more nor less than taking God's children for wild ducks to make people believe that you can free yourself from any partisan strategy to "advance" your issues, because you'll need votes to get them adopted. "
The senator goes on to assert that Francius Matignon's desire to withdraw dates back to 2024. She writes: "Long before the renewal of the Executive Council, you had begun to distance yourself from the SBDA group. This dates back precisely to the 2024 legislative elections.Alexandra having run a very fine campaign and achieved an unexpectedly high score, I thought you would have the humility to recognize that she had earned this candidacy, which you wished to carry forward. "
"The oldest political trick in the book".
Micheline Jacques denounces the method employed by her former SBDA fellow traveller, saying: "Yes, it was in the midst of doubts about SBDA that you knowingly ran on our list for the executive council. Your reflection therefore led you to the conclusion that you should leave SBDA ... but after having been elected 2nd vice-president thanks to SBDA. To say otherwise would be to be hypocritical (...) Worse still, after justifying your departure by reasons apparently more noble than partisan, you end with the oldest political trick in the book: that of declaring that it's premature to give an opinion on the constitution of a list.But everyone knows that's all anyone's thinking about!
Further on, the MP raises a political difficulty linked to Francius Matignon's departure from her group. "You left to go it alone, but this strategy - because, yes, it is one - now poses a problem, if not a legal one, then at least a political one, within the Executive Council. You were elected 2nd vice-president on the SBDA group's quota. But now that there are only five of us following your departure, we are guaranteed only one seat on the Executive Board. A recalculation shows that if you were to present your candidacy alone, you would not have a seat on the executive board with your single vote. The 6th seat would be awarded to the SBDA group or to Xavier (Lédée, President of the Collectivité and of the Unis pour Saint-Barthélemy group, editor's note) on the basis of age."
"You're betraying the group
Finally, it was with a final political "reframing" that Micheline Jacques completed her response to Francius Matignon, writing: "Francius, you don't have a monopoly on the general interest of the island. It's pretentious to think so. Each of the elected members of this council does his or her best, in good conscience, in the interests of the island and its population, despite the difficulties of this mandate, despite the many misunderstandings, despite the difficult learning curve. You detest partisan calculations, but you betray the group that got you elected to follow your own path to the presidency. Last year you told the President that you would write to him to find out if he was still able to lead the community. You didn't. Perhaps you're giving this question some serious thought."Before concluding: "Dear Francius, to work 'intelligently' with everyone as you wish, you don't have to be a member of the executive board to do so. The morality of which you speak, and which honors you, should lead you to draw the moral - if not political - consequences by questioning your legitimacy.by questioning the legitimacy of your presence on the executive council to which you were elected shortly before leaving the group that got you elected...".
