Bordeaux’s mayoral race has taken a dramatic turn with the unexpected withdrawal of candidate Philippe Dessertine, setting the stage for a tightly contested runoff between incumbent Pierre Hurmic and Macronist challenger Thomas Cazenave. The development, confirmed Tuesday evening, significantly reshapes the political landscape of the city and introduces a new level of uncertainty as voters prepare to return to the polls. The withdrawal of Dessertine, who garnered 20.20% of the vote in the first round, leaves Hurmic and Cazenave to vie for the support of those voters.
Dessertine, a political outsider who ran on a citizen-led platform, had repeatedly stated his intention to continue the race until his surprise announcement. According to Ludovic Renard, a political scientist at Sciences Po Bordeaux, the decision followed earlier maneuvering within national political circles. Renard recalled that the elimination of Nathalie Delattre, a potential candidate from the Radical Party, in December to favor Cazenave occurred during a meeting involving Gérard Larcher, Gabriel Attal, and Édouard Philippe. This suggests a degree of national-level coordination aimed at consolidating support behind Cazenave.
The circumstances surrounding Dessertine’s decision have raised questions about potential pressure exerted on him to step aside. Renard suggested that while a direct promise may not have been made, Dessertine may have been made aware of the challenges he would face in the public sphere, given his profile as a prominent economist frequently invited to contribute his expertise to various forums. Dessertine, known for criticizing established political arrangements, may have found himself caught in the crosshairs of those arrangements, Renard posited, describing him as “an academic a little idealistic” who may have underestimated the extent of such “enormous national pressures.”
The Renaissance party, according to reports, strategically limited its candidate deployments in major cities, placing significant emphasis on supporting Cazenave’s campaign. Dessertine, in announcing his withdrawal, did not endorse either remaining candidate, leaving his supporters to decide for themselves. This lack of a clear directive could lead to a fragmented distribution of his votes in the runoff, adding another layer of complexity to the race.
The runoff election is expected to be closely fought. Political analyst Jean Petaux, associated with the Spirales Institut reckon tank, noted that over 42% of voters from the first round will now locate themselves without a candidate who fully represents their political views. Petaux suggested that some of Dessertine’s supporters might cast their ballots for Hurmic as a form of protest against Cazenave, while others may abstain from voting altogether.
Cazenave’s campaign has received a boost from Dessertine’s departure, as noted in reports from social media, and he is now attempting to consolidate support from those seeking an alternative to Hurmic. However, Hurmic is expected to draw support from left-leaning voters, including those who backed Nordine Raymond of La France Insoumise (LFI) in the first round. The outcome will likely hinge on which candidate can most effectively mobilize their base and attract undecided voters.
Analysts are also considering whether Cazenave can surpass the 25% he achieved in the 2020 election. A key question is whether the narrative of preventing a return to right-wing governance – after sixty-three years of right-wing leadership in Bordeaux – will be sufficient to galvanize abstentionists and drive turnout. As Renard concluded, “the game is far from over.”
The coming days will be crucial as both campaigns intensify their efforts to sway voters. The focus will be on articulating clear visions for the city’s future and addressing the concerns of those who experience unrepresented by the remaining candidates. The runoff election on Sunday promises to be a pivotal moment for Bordeaux, with the outcome potentially reshaping the city’s political trajectory for years to arrive.
The final result will depend on voter turnout and the ability of each candidate to appeal to the diverse electorate of Bordeaux. The election commission has not yet announced any specific measures to address potential concerns about voter access or security, but will likely provide updates as the election date approaches.
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