François de Canson, mayor of La Londe-les-Maures and third vice-president of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, is expected to be elected president of the region on Monday, October 12, in Marseille. Supported by Renaud Muselier, who recently became a senator, de Canson aims to continue his work while maintaining the unity of the regional majority. The regional council members are set to meet at 10 a.m. at the Regional Hotel in Marseille to elect the successor to Muselier, who stepped down earlier this year. Christian Estrosi, the first vice-president, has been acting as president since Muselier’s resignation. Unless a surprise occurs within the majority, the vote is expected to confirm de Canson’s selection, which has been advocated for months by the outgoing president. On September 28, Muselier reaffirmed his support for de Canson, emphasizing "his experience and knowledge of the community." His election remains subject to the approval of the assembly. François de Canson, 61, has deep roots in the Var department. He was first elected mayor of La Londe-les-Maures in 2008 and comes from a family closely tied to the coastal commune. His great-uncle, François de Leusse, led the town from 1947 to 1971, and his father, Philippe de Canson, from 1971 to 1995. The latter also served as a deputy and a general council member. Before entering politics, de Canson worked in the private sector. He graduated from a DESS in business management at the IAE of Aix-en-Provence and held responsibilities in Hong Kong for the textile group Zannier. Upon returning to the Var, he became involved in family activities, including camping and agricultural ventures. Re-elected mayor last March, he also leads the Méditerranée Porte des Maures intercommunalities. His new regional responsibilities would require him to step down as mayor, as the roles are incompatible. Since 2015, de Canson has been a regional council member and became third vice-president in 2021, overseeing economic development, attractiveness, tourism, and major risk prevention. He also presides over the Regional Tourism Committee, a role he took on in 2018. His commitment to the tourism sector led him to head ADN Tourisme, the national federation of institutional tourism organizations, from 2022 to 2024. He is now the deputy president. In an interview from April, he advocated for a more balanced distribution of visitors throughout the year and the development of train travel. He also noted the increase in the regional budget allocated to tourism, which has grown from 18 to 21 billion euros in the past decade. Politically, de Canson has passed through several parties, including RPR, UMP, and Les Républicains. He left LR (Les Républicains) in March 2022 and announced his intention to support Emmanuel Macron, while maintaining his alignment with the right. Within the regional majority, he advocates for unity between the right and the center, opposing the National Rally. "I have not ceased to gather, in a collective spirit," he explained, emphasizing the need to maintain the unity of his camp during the transition. While he intends to continue the work of his predecessor, de Canson also wants to exercise the presidency with his own personality. This succession is expected to help the majority prepare for the next regional elections, scheduled for 2028. In addition to the election of the new president, the meeting on Monday, October 12, should also allow for the renewal of the permanent commission and vice-presidencies. The regional council members elected in 2021 remain in office, so the public is not called to the polls. The new president will take the helm of the region for the remainder of the mandate. Renaud Muselier will retain his seat as a regional council member. When announcing his departure, he indicated that he wanted to continue following European funds, the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, and the issues of the Bouches-du-Rhône.