While cases of attacks on elected officials are increasing across France – 2,501 incidents were recorded in 2024 – and public authorities are strengthening measures to protect them, a new example has added to the list of victims. On Saturday 25 October at the end of the day, Thibaut Drouet, city councilor responsible for youth and student life in the city of Rouen (Seine-Maritime), was violently attacked.
“This follows a statement I made to motorists who parked incorrectly on the sidewalk,” explained the elected official. I want to call the city police. The driver came and asked if I was a police officer. I told him I was an elected official and a private citizen.” The attacker then hit him several times while shouting, “You’re dead!” », before a passerby intervened.
“We need more police”
Thibaut Drouet immediately filed a complaint. “The next day, the police asked me to come and identify the person on the card. He was in police custody. I was later called to tell me that he had confessed some of the facts but did not admit to the death threat.”
Having been the victim of several indiscretions, the city councilor believes that his status has no impact other than the facts. “It’s not a lack of respect for elected officials, but for people in general. For most people, when it comes to city council members, they don’t know what that is…”.
So, Rouennais called for “impunity for indecency through fines. Wallets always make you think. However, this requires more police officers. About a hundred people disappeared in Rouen. I am not asking for systematic prison sentences, but an adequate answer. For my attacker, I do not want him to languish in a cell, but for him to think and calm others. This is important.”
Thibaut Drouet also urged those who want to get involved in city life “not to hesitate”. “It’s very exciting and motivating. We see the city growing. You just have to know that there is another side to the coin and sometimes it’s hard to accept it.”
“Sanctions must be swift and exemplary”
After the incident, he received many messages of support from his majority, including Mayor Nicolas Mayer Rossignol, but also from his opponents. Other elected officials reacted, including Laurent Bonnaterre, regional councilor and mayor of Caudebec-lès-Elbeuf.
“Violence of course and unfortunately not only affects elected officials, but they are often the victims of it. The return of stricter rules for respecting authority seems very important to me and the sanctions must be swift and exemplary. I clearly give all my support to these members of the Rouen city council. The filing of complaints must be systematic in situations like this and of course must be accompanied by the strengthening of the means of justice.
There are also people who are also victims, for whom this news brings back painful memories. This is the case of Pascal Houbron, mayor of Bihorel and member of the regional council, who was attacked in his home in 2020 by one of his constituents who, using a fake weapon, forced him out naked into the street.
Tried for “aggravated violence”, the man was sentenced to 30 months in prison, 18 months of which was suspended for two years, with a ban on contact with the mayor of Bihorel, appearing in the municipality, holding or carrying weapons as well as a duty of care with temporary execution.
“We are not supported enough”
Faced with his colleague’s case, Pascal Houbron remembered this traumatic fact. “I still live in sadness and I don’t think my attacker received a long enough sentence,” he admitted. Today, we no longer respect authority. There are no more elected officials besides firefighters and police. But we are the last bastion against anarchy. We saw it during the riots in 2023. But we lacked support. There needs to be reform regarding this matter. If we can’t fill the prisons, the fines will be heavy. So, I support Thibault Drouet. He must not be discouraged. He saw clearly that if violence occurred, he had the unconditional support of elected officials beyond political considerations. This will be an important topic at the next mayor’s congress. We are all in the same boat.”
