Local Democracy in Action

The mayor of a French village holds a position that combines practical authority with symbolic importance. In Saint-Julien-le-Petit, Mayor Jean Forestier, a retired teacher who returned to his native village, embodies this role. "Being mayor isn't a job, it's a vocation," he explains, interrupted repeatedly by residents with concerns ranging from a blocked drain to a dispute over property boundaries.

French mayors have real power - they perform marriages, issue building permits, manage municipal budgets, and serve as the state's representative. But in small villages, the role is primarily about relationships. "I know every family, their histories, their problems," Forestier notes. "When someone applies for social assistance, I know if it's genuine need or temporary difficulty. When neighbors dispute, I know the real issues behind the immediate complaint."

The municipal council, elected every six years, represents village democracy at its most direct. In Saint-Julien-le-Petit, the eleven councilors include farmers, retirees, commuters who work in nearby towns, and néo-ruraux who've chosen village life. Meetings, open to the public, can be passionate affairs. Should the village invest in renovating the community hall or repairing roads? Should building permits be granted for new housing that might change village character? These decisions shape daily life directly.

"Democracy here is immediate," observes councilor Marie Lefort. "If we make a bad decision, we hear about it at the boulangerie next morning. There's no hiding behind bureaucracy or party politics. We're neighbors first, politicians second."