"I consider myself legitimate to lead the list": Josée Massi is not giving up on the municipal elections in Toulon

"I 'm not a houseplant! " Since her almost accidental rise to the mayoral seat of Toulon, following Hubert Falco's conviction, Josée Massi has been repeating this phrase to anyone who will listen. The woman who had never really been involved in politics, however, now finds herself in the deep end. Today, she's even playing a leading role in a succession war that could leave its mark.

After two years presented as an interim, the former teacher changed dimension when Hubert Falco's conviction became final, following the decision of the Court of Cassation.

With a method, a team, and projects, she then considered herself fully legitimate to approach the 2026 municipal campaign as the head of the list. In mid-June, she announced her intention to "go there " to her municipal team. She even benefited from the – invaluable – support of Hubert Falco, via a somewhat laconic press release .

No deal in sight

Three months later, the picture has changed. The former mayor, still decidedly central, seems to have doubts about Josée Massi's ability to lead her camp to victory. He prefers the profile of Senator Michel Bonnus, with whom he had been at odds for many months.

Last Tuesday, Hubert Falco issued a statement calling for unity between his camp. On Thursday, he delivered the same message during a hastily convened conclave at the Palais Neptune . That day, he reportedly gave the two candidates until the end of the weekend to reach an agreement.

But this Sunday, the new "conciliation meeting" did not result in a consensus.

"I consider myself legitimate to lead the list"

But where many elected officials and observers thought that Josée Massi would throw in the towel, she once again seems determined to surprise.

"I consider myself legitimate to lead the majority list in the next elections," the mayor stated in a statement published this Sunday evening. She also confirmed "the absence of a balanced agreement with Michel Bonnus."

In her message, which she presents as a "clarification," she also mentions Hubert Falco's apparent about-face and says she is ready to do without the support of her former mentor. " I leave it to him to decide what he wants to do and, if so, who he wants to support. He designated me when he was unable to take the reins of the City in 2023 and he supported my candidacy in a press release on June 23. He had clear reasons for doing so. He will explain his position, whatever it may be. "

Further on, she mentions her "rival" Michel Bonnus, supported by Les Républicains: "He is a party candidate, I respect him; for my part, I am mayor and I think of my city and all its inhabitants."

She (who is not a member of the National Assembly) took the opportunity to respond to those who felt that her political position was not sufficiently in tune with the Toulon electorate.

"Sometimes people say I'm too right-wing, now they say I'm too left-wing to be right-wing. I take responsibility for being, above all, mayor of our city and thus for going beyond labels. The people of Toulon expect action, listening, and proximity. Not promises and secret meetings."

She concludes by recalling some of the achievements of the term that is coming to an end and mentions the structural projects. "I will say what I will do in due course," concludes Josée Massi.