Jean-Luc Boujon (in Saint-Étienne), edited by Romain Rouillard
modified to
8:12 p.m., April 07, 2023
On Thursday evening, the LR mayor of Saint-Étienne, Gaël Perdriau, was indicted in connection with a sextape blackmail case. However, the city councilor does not intend to abandon his post. An attitude that shocks the inhabitants of the city, including within its electorate.
In Saint-Étienne, the mayor’s legal setbacks are making people cringe. This Thursday, Gaël Perdriau was indicted and placed under judicial supervision in the context of a sextape blackmail case. The 50-year-old city councilor is accused of having used this intimate video in order to trap a political rival. Claiming his innocence, the elected official intends to remain in his chair as mayor. What arouse some tensions among a majority of Saint-Etienne, including those who voted for him twice in 2014 and 2020.
“It’s a shame. It’s true that we trusted Gaël Perdriau. I think it’s over, he will no longer have credibility. He can’t dabble in such stories and then come back as if nothing had happened”, considers this resident while another Stéphanoise does not hesitate to hit even harder. “Doing such a thing is still disgusting! He has to resign. He really should be kicked out of the back. We don’t like people who scam like that.”
“It compromises, it seems to me, the credibility of our city”
Even within the municipal majority, several elected officials denounce this situation, like Nicole Peycelon, assistant to public tranquility. “Quite frankly, I’m uncomfortable because it absolutely does not correspond to my way of seeing politics. At least stepping back, that would be the minimum. It compromises, it seems to me. , the credibility of our city”, she judges.
The opposition group at the town hall has meanwhile announced actions in the coming days, pending the next municipal council. This Friday evening, the pressure is therefore maximum on Gaël Perdriau who can however count on the support of around thirty elected officials at the town hall.