Political Shakeup in Mézel: Opposition Members Refuse Council Seats After Election Loss

Mézel, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence – A surprising turn of events has unfolded in the wake of the municipal elections in Mézel, as three members of the opposition have announced they will not grab their seats on the newly elected council. This decision follows their defeat by Gilles Bertorello and his team, “Une équipe, une expérience, un engagement pour Mézel,” in the March 15th election.

Election Results and Aftermath

Gilles Bertorello secured victory with 58.7% of the votes (199 votes), defeating Claude Segond and his list, “Ensemble faisons vivre Mézel,” who received 41.3% (140 votes). Detailed results reveal a participation rate of 79.00%, with 365 voters casting ballots out of 462 registered electors.

Opposition Members Decline Seats

Claude Segond, the former mayor elected in 2020 before losing a vote of no confidence, expressed his disappointment with the outcome, stating, “You have to believe that I played the shot badly.” According to La Provence, Segond and two of his fellow candidates, Jennifer Risacher and Jean-Claude Dalla-Favera, have chosen not to occupy their positions on the council.

Implications for Mézel’s Future

Despite winning enough votes to secure a seat on the council, Segond has decided against participating in the new administration. This decision reflects the deep disappointment felt by his team following the election results. The new council, led by Gilles Bertorello, is scheduled to hold its installation meeting on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM.