• Nearly two months after arson attack on his house, the mayor of Saint-Brévin-les-Pins announced his resignation.
  • He wants to shelter his family and deplores the "lack of state support".
  • Supported by the state and supported by the municipality, the project to install a migrant center is opposed by a small part of the population of Saint-Brévin, with the support of far-right organizations.

"It's been talked about a lot since this morning. And there are all opinions, "says the manager of a bakery in downtown Saint-Brévin-les-Pins. In this small seaside town near Saint-Nazaire (15,000 inhabitants in winter, triple in summer), the topic of conversation of the day is obviously the resignation of the mayor, Yannick Morez (no label), announced Wednesday evening via a short statement. More than the withdrawal of this elected official in office since 2017, it is the circumstances that concern everyone. The mayor, a doctor by profession, justifies his decision by "personal reasons, especially following the arson perpetrated at my home and the lack of support from the State, and after a long reflection with my family".

On March 22, Yannick Morez's house and vehicles were set on fire, while the mayor was already the target of threats since he supported the installation of a reception center for asylum seekers (Cada) in the town, a project supported by the State. On 29 April, a demonstration by opponents of Cada, supported by far-right organisations, led to high tensions.

"It's really revolting"

"The mayor was fed up, I understand that. It went too far this story, "reacts Bruno, 45, at the exit of the bakery who does not "wish to say more". "It's sad to get to this point but it's understandable. Attacking your home is violent anyway," adds Christiane. Like most Brévinois crossed in the streets this Thursday morning, José, says he is "shocked". "The threats, the harassment, it's hard. But I didn't think he would go so far as to resign. It's sad. We're in France anyway. I knew him a little bit as an association president, he respected everyone. Individuals who do so have no business with us. They have to be made to pay. "Not only is he resigning but, in addition, I learned that he was going to leave the commune where he has lived for thirty years [confirmed by Ouest-France]. It's really appalling. I didn't know him particularly but I support him. I might have done the same in his place," adds Estelle, 37.


President of the Brévinois collective attentive and solidary, an organization favorable to the project of Cada, Philippe Croze "felt coming" this resignation. "We felt that Yannick Morez was touched on a family level," he says. It is regrettable that the methods of intimidation have succeeded in making a mayor bend. It is also regrettable that it has not received any support from the State. His decision is a strong act for all elected officials. This is a sad day for democracy. It's going to stay in people's minds, that's obvious. »

Much less numerous and talkative, some residents crossed this Thursday morning are not concerned about the resignation of the mayor. "The violence he suffered is not normal of course. But I think the mayor was wrong to be stubborn. This project put the bazaar in the commune. It was perhaps better for him to resign, "says Thierry *. "All the better, we had to listen to everyone. Putting unemployed migrants hanging out near a school is nonsense," said a young retiree.

"Never the slightest concern with migrants"

The project aims to transfer the current Cada to land near the city center sold by the municipality to the State. A primary school is located nearby and about sixty housing units are to be built next door. The current accommodation centre was opened in 2016 following the dismantling of the Calais jungle. "Since then, there have been more than 400 refugees in Saint-Brévin and there has never been the slightest problem," says Philippe Croze. People who were doubtful at first saw that it was going well. The oppositions are mainly the work of external groups of the extreme right. The mayor was convinced that welcoming asylum seekers is part of the French tradition and I think he was supported for that. "I don't understand the fears. There has been no problem with migrants as far as I know, confirms José. We need to help them find housing so that they have a chance to integrate. Let us not forget that many of us are descendants of immigrants. "These poor people have to go somewhere," says Christiane.



Beyond the inhabitants, Yannick Morez has received many messages of support from national and local elected officials. "I understand this need to protect oneself," said Roch Chéraud, mayor of Saint-Viaud, a neighbouring town. But what a waste orchestrated by this minority, most of whom are outside our territory. This case is symptomatic of what awaits us in the short term and in a more massive way if the State does not pay more attention to mayors and elected officials. »

The gendarmerie investigations have shown the voluntary nature of the fire that occurred at Yannick Morez's home. The Nantes prosecutor's office has opened an investigation for "destruction of property by a means dangerous to people, committed because of the status of person depositary of public authority". No one has been arrested at this stage.

* First name has been changed at the request of the interviewee

  • Loire-Atlantique
  • Pays de la Loire
  • Mayor
  • Migrants
  • Resignation
  • Society