The resignation of Saint-Brévin’s mayor, Yannick Morez, underscores a troubling pattern in small French towns facing organized xenophobia and violence linked to ultranationalist currents. The city of Saint-Brévin, perched at the Loire estuary with a population a little over 13,000, has become a focal point in a broader national debate about immigration, asylum centers, and the reach of far-right activism. In recent months, protests and violent actions by neo-Nazi groups and adherents of a xenophobic party have surfaced around the issue of housing asylum seekers, turning local life into a political battleground and prompting concerns about safety and government response. The resignation of Morez marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle between local leadership and far-right pressure groups that see small towns as laboratories for political experimentation and resistance to what they call upheaval.
“I made this decision for personal reasons, particularly in light of a criminal shooting targeting my home and family, and the absence of meaningful government support”, Morez explained in a message on social media on a Wednesday night announcing his departure. The mayor, who has led the municipal council for six years and does not belong to any party, added that he would leave town to ensure his family’s safety. By late March, he had already endured a tense moment when a blaze erupted near his residence and two of his vehicles were set ablaze, with smoke staining the walls of his house.
Saint-Brévin mayor Yannick Morez resigns after extremists burned two of his cars
Saint-Brévin, a seaside town with limited resources and a strong fishing heritage, has seen a surge of right-wing anger and threats in recent months. The mayor had already faced numerous threats, including hostile messages delivered to his mailbox. Demonstrations by ultranationalist and xenophobic groups have occurred, with a rally on April 30 attended by a parliamentary candidate from Zemmour’s party. In response, unions and left-leaning groups organized counter-demonstrations in support of Morez.
Xenophobic lab
Saint-Brévin sits at the mouth of the Loire River and has long struggled with hostility toward a reception center for asylum seekers, the CADA. The state established the center after closing a previous facility in 2016. The project drew fierce local protests and targeted harassment. A predecessor, conservative mayor Yannick Haury, who later joined a national party, faced backlash after the center’s creation. A gun incident at the center’s entrance occurred without casualties. Yet nearly 400 asylum seekers have been housed nearby in a temporary residence converted into a humanitarian aid hub by EDF, a reminder that the center provides essential support for people fleeing persecution. Morez defended the residents, stressing that newcomers did not provoke trouble.
Opposition to the center persisted, echoing similar disputes in another western French town, Callac, where xenophobic protests and work stoppages led a private foundation to halt an immigration reception project earlier in the year. Zemmour’s party has used these clashes to argue against immigration, claiming that towns like Saint-Brévin and Callac have become testing grounds for a broader political strategy. The accusation has fed a broader conspiracy narrative about demographic change, with some supporters claiming a deliberate replacement of white French citizens as part of a long-term plan.
Zemmour supporters protested against a refugee center in this town in western France.
“I felt abandoned”
Despite facing aggression from ultra groups, Morez reported a lack of visible state protection. He recounted in a report that police and public security resources did not arrive in a way that matched the level of threat, leading him to feel abandoned. He noted that the state mandates the CADA framework for local leaders but leaves decisions and safety concerns to mayors on the ground. A broadcast on Envoyé Spécial in April highlighted these tensions and the perceived gaps in protection for local authorities.
“I alerted the gendarmerie”
“Is it over?”
“To laugh”
“To laugh?”
“To laugh” #SaintBrevin #YannickMorez
— Paul Larrouturou (@PaulLarrouturou) 11 May 2023
In a social media post, President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the attacks on Morez and his family, calling the actions of the far right unacceptable. Some lawmakers from the left criticized the government for not speaking out sooner, arguing that stronger commitments to local protection were needed. Others defended the president, stressing the political context and the importance of safeguarding public officials who serve small communities under strain.
Ongoing demonstrations and counter-demonstrations continued into early May, with thousands of far-right activists taking to streets in Paris and other cities. Critics argued that government policies should better balance security with the rights of asylum seekers and local governance, while supporters of Morez emphasized the risks faced by mayors who confront hostile campaigns with limited resources. The situation in Saint-Brévin thus reflects a national conversation about immigration, safety, and the responsibilities of central authorities in protecting local elected representatives.