Six candidates for a seat in the Senate
The electors – regional councillors and members of parliament – will be called to the polls on Sunday 27 September to elect the senator who will represent the region for six years. With six candidates in the running and only 25 votes to be allocated, backroom dealings are in full swing. Who will back whom ?
Five candidates currently sit on the territorial council. Three still belong to the RSMa majority bloc: Annick Petrus, Valérie Damaseau and Raphaël Sanchez. Bernadette Venthou-Dumaine, a former member of Alternative who was elected in 2022 on the list headed by Louis Mussington, announced she was breaking away from the majority when she submitted her candidacy. Daniel Gibbs, for his part, sits in the opposition. The territorial majority has officially chosen to support Valérie Damaseau.
Whilst the main priorities are similar, the candidacies above all reveal the rifts within the majority. Between official support, distancing oneself and dissident candidacies, everyone is now trying to make the best of the situation.
But there are few surprises in the manifestos regarding the priorities set. Those on which there is consensus are: better defending Saint Martin’s interests at national level, tailoring public policies more closely to the territory’s realities, improving access to healthcare, housing and essential services, addressing water and sanitation issues, supporting employment and economic development, and providing better support for young people, not to mention… changes to the Organic Law. The differences therefore lie elsewhere: in the candidates’ backgrounds, their supporters, the causes they have already championed and the few distinctive features specific to each.
Annick Pétrus (RSM-LR), Les Républicains group – substitute: Alexandre Choisy
As the outgoing senator, Annick Petrus is seeking a second term after having repeatedly expressed her disagreements with the majority. She intends to continue pursuing the issues already raised in the Senate, including the application of ordinary law to urban regeneration, legal recognition of ‘neither-nor’ voters, funding for the clearance of substandard housing, and the maintenance of exemptions from social security contributions. She also wishes to strengthen support measures for the elderly and states her intention to work with elected representatives of all political persuasions.
Daniel Gibbs (UD-LR) – substitute: Marie-Dominique Ramphort
A former MP and former president of the Collectivité, now an opposition territorial councillor, Daniel Gibbs is well-versed in political life and, unsurprisingly, draws on this experience. In particular, he emphasises the national context in which the next term of office will begin – with the budget debate followed by the 2027 presidential election – and defends the role of the Senate as an institution of continuity and balance.
Valérie Damaseau Alternative – RSMa majority – substitute: Michel Petit
Former First Vice-President of the Collectivité and current President of the Tourist Board, Valérie Damaseau states that she intends to place the defence of the territory’s interests, its inhabitants and its future at the heart of her term of office. She says she is approaching this election with humility and determination, highlighting her knowledge of local institutions and the region’s challenges.
Bernadette Venthou-Dumaine – Independent – substitute: Fabien Galvani
Headteacher, Bernadette Venthou-Dumaine, now an independent territorial councillor, has set out five priorities: consolidating Saint Martin’s autonomy, strengthening its resilience, improving access to essential infrastructure, providing greater resources for education and young people, and bringing the ‘One Island’ principle to life in practical terms.
Raphaël SanchezIndependent – substitute: Martine Beldor
Raphaël Sanchez is particularly prominent on agricultural and environmental issues. He wants to provide better support for farmers and livestock breeders facing repeated droughts and is calling for a more ambitious national response to the sargassum problem.
Tristan Choppin Haudry de Janvry (UDR) – substitute: Emmanuelle Grimaldi
Unlike his five rivals, Tristan Choppin Haudry de Janvry does not come from the local political establishment. A member of the Paris Bar since 2017, he opportunely published an opinion piece this summer on ‘the energy sovereignty of France’s overseas territories’, in which he advocates the development of local production based on renewable resources in order to reduce the overseas territories’ energy dependence.
The chances of a first-round victory appear slim. Barring a surprise or a last-minute rallying of support, a second round therefore seems the most likely scenario. And that is where endorsements, alliances and the transfer of votes will really make a difference.
The elected candidate will take office on 1 October and will receive a monthly parliamentary allowance of €5,676.12 net. Additional remuneration may be added to this sum: for example, committee chairs and rapporteurs receive a functional allowance of €2,184.30 gross per month.
