Challenge Your Candidates

When and how to challenge them

Several occasions lend themselves to questioning candidates:

• At public meetings — Ask your questions during campaign meetings. Prepare them in advance and request a precise answer. If possible, record or note the response.
• By email or letter — Send a written message to the list or the lead candidate. A written statement is more binding than a spoken word and creates a record.
• On social media — Comment on campaign posts with factual questions about Europa Valley. Public visibility encourages a response.
• Door-to-door — When a candidate or running mate knocks on your door, it is the ideal moment for a direct and concrete exchange.

Key questions to ask

Here are the essential questions to obtain a clear position:

1. What is your position on the Europa Valley project?
   The basic question -- demand a clear answer: for, against, or conditional.
2. Will you vote for or against the SCoT modification required by the project?
   The SCoT is the main administrative hurdle. Without modification, the project cannot proceed.
3. How do you justify the development of farmland and Natura 2000 wetlands, in light of the ZAN (zero net artificialisation) law?
   The Zero Net Artificialisation law (2021) requires halving the rate of land consumption by 2031.
4. Have you had access to the EY/Arcadis/Ceresco study costing 260,000 euros? If so, what do you think of it?
   This study commissioned by the CeA remains largely confidential despite CADA (freedom of information) requests.
5. Are you aware of the Roybon precedent (Center Parcs), where a similar project was abandoned after 13 years of legal proceedings?
   The Roybon case illustrates the legal and financial risks of this type of project.
6. What guarantees do you offer for the protection of the Great Hamster of Alsace, the Eurasian Curlew, and other protected species of the Ried?
   These species benefit from strict European protections (Natura 2000, Ramsar Convention).

Practical tips

• Stay factual and courteous — Rely on verifiable data (land area, environmental protections, public costs). The sources page lists all references.
• Ask for a written response — A verbal commitment is quickly forgotten. Systematically request confirmation by email or letter.
• Be specific — Avoid overly broad questions ("What do you think about the environment?"). Focus on Europa Valley, the SCoT, the Natura 2000 zones.
• Ask your question in public — At a meeting, your question benefits everyone. Other residents likely share your concerns.

What to do with the response?

Every response obtained -- or every refusal to respond -- is valuable information. Share it with us to help track candidate positions:

• Send the response (or a summary) via our contact form
• Include the municipality, the name of the candidate or list, and the date
• If you have a written record (email, letter, screenshot), attach it

We incorporate this information into our 2026 Municipal Elections page so that every voter can see where their candidates stand.