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If there's one announcement that should come as a surprise to few, it's undoubtedly that of Romaric Magras, president of the Saint-Barth d'Abord group. Head of the list for the March 2022 territorial elections, the elected official has clearly distanced himself from political life in recent months. As a result, the fact that he has officially announced that he is handing over the leadership of the group to Alexandra Questel seems to be a matter of course. "It's a personal and family choice that will lead me to see other things and have other experiences", explains Romaric Magras. A decision he explains is also motivated by "the political situation and the playground atmosphere" that reigns within the territorial assembly.
The Territorial Councillor initially informed the President of the Collectivité of his decision to resign from his position on the Executive Council. The seat has remained vacant ever since. For the time being, no resolution has been put on the agenda to replace Romaric Magras. On the other hand, he retains his seat on the territorial council. At least until the end of the year.
A natural transition
"This handover to Alexandra Questel was made in agreement with the members of the Saint-Barth d'Abord group," assures Romaric Magras. In all likelihood, his replacement on the territorial council, when he resigns as an elected official, will be Sylvère Gréaux. We need to prepare for this handover," stresses the former head of the list. We need to prepare those who are there and the whole group. There are elections in 2027 and we need to do things responsibly. Because there's a history and the group's values to uphold. "A group that once belonged to the former mayor and president, Bruno Magras.
"The transition was a natural one," reassures Alexandra Questel. In fact, the young representative of Saint-Barth d'Abord has taken center stage since her candidacy for the legislative elections in June 2024 (she reached the second round before being beaten at the ballot box by the outgoing deputy, Frantz Gumbs). She is responsible for all the group's speeches at council meetings. As she did at the budget debate on March 17, when she delivered a scathing critique of President Lédée. Nevertheless, Alexandra Questel asserts: "We work as a team. Everyone rows in the same direction. Everyone has their own responsibilities and areas of expertise. "Senator Micheline Jacques, Francius Matignon, Sandra Baptiste and Rudi Laplace will continue to follow the line drawn by Saint-Barth d'Abord and, now officially, by Alexandra Questel. As for Romaric Magras, he will sit on the territorial council (as he will this Thursday at 5 p.m.) and assume his role for a few more months. Before leaving the scene for good.
