Resignation of mayor sparks political outrage in France

By Gizem Taskin Nicollet

PARIS (AA) - Political leaders on Thursday expressed their support for Yannick Morez, the mayor of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, who resigned after death threats from far-right groups and an arson attack on his home.

Morez announced his resignation on Wednesday on the town's Facebook page citing "personal reasons" for his resignation and expressing dissatisfaction with the "lack of support from the state."

The town, located near Calais on France's northern coast, has been providing shelter to migrants since the dismantling of their camp in 2016. However, tensions have escalated due to strong opposition against the relocation of asylum accommodation near a primary school. Several protests, driven by far-right groups, have occurred in the town.

“The attacks against Yannick Morez, mayor of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, and against his family, are outrageous,” tweeted France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday as he expressed "solidarity" with them.

Expressing full support to Morez, French Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne also said during a visit to French Indian Ocean territory La Reunion that "what happened is very shocking. This shows that there is a rise in extremism in this country. [It is] an unacceptable situation.”

Fabien Roussel, leader of the French Communist Party also took to Twitter and said that "the inaction of the State is an absolute shame” offering his full support to him.

Dominique Faure, the minister responsible for communities, stated on Thursday that she would introduce “new measures to prevent and fight against attacks on elected officials."