 |
Michele RubirolaFrench physician and politician, mayor of Marseille (2020)
Date of Birth: 28.07.1956
Country:  France |
Content:
- Michèle Rubirola: A Trailblazing Politician and Physician
- Early Life and Education
- Rise in Marseille Politics
- Maverick Governance
Michèle Rubirola: A Trailblazing Politician and Physician
Michèle Rubirola, a French physician and politician, made history in 2020 by becoming the first woman to lead the city of Marseille as its mayor.
Early Life and Education
Born in Marseille in 1956 to immigrant parents from Italy and Spain, Rubirola grew up with a strong passion for Marxism-Leninism. She became a political activist in the 1970s while also pursuing her love of sports, playing for the women's football team of Olympique de Marseille.
After completing her medical studies, Rubirola joined the Green movement in 2002. Her political career took off in 2008 when she was elected to a district council in Marseille. In 2015, she became a departmental councilor for the Europe Écologie Les Verts (EELV) party.
Rise in Marseille Politics
In January 2020, Rubirola led the coalition "Marseille Spring." The coalition won the first round of municipal elections with 23.44% of the vote on March 15, 2020. In the second round on June 28, 2020, the coalition received 39.9%, overcoming other candidates, including Republican candidate Martine Vassal (29.8%) and National Rally candidate Stéphane Ravier (19.8%).
On July 4, 2020, the municipal council elected Rubirola as mayor of Marseille with a majority of 51 votes against 41 for Republican candidate Guy Tessier, making her the first woman to hold the position.
Maverick Governance
During her time as mayor, Rubirola challenged government authority. In September 2020, she opposed new COVID-19 restrictions aimed at curbing the second wave of the virus. She also temporarily resigned in December 2020 due to health reasons, passing the mantle of mayor to her first deputy, Benoît Payan.
On December 21, 2020, the municipal council elected Payan as mayor, with Rubirola becoming the new first deputy mayor.
