Lyon’s 2026 Municipal Race Heats Up with Debate Amidst Political Tensions

On February 24, the four main candidates vying for the Lyon mayoralty—Jean-Michel Aulas, Grégory Doucet, Anaïs Belouassa-Cherifi, and Alexandre Dupalais—participated in a high-profile debate hosted by BFMTV and Le Figaro. This event, coming less than three weeks before the first election round on March 15, highlighted the fierce competition and complex political atmosphere in Lyon.

Jean-Michel Aulas, the former Olympique Lyonnais president, is currently leading the race according to a recent Elabe/Berger-Levrault poll conducted between February 11 and 19. Supported by Cœur Lyonnais, LR, and Renaissance, Aulas appears poised to surpass the sitting Ecologist mayor, Grégory Doucet, who is trailing in the polls. Anaïs Belouassa-Cherifi of La France Insoumise (LFI) and Alexandre Dupalais have smaller shares, positioned around 10% and 6%, respectively.

Grégory Doucet expressed openness to collaborating with LFI’s Belouassa-Cherifi under strict conditions, particularly emphasizing that the municipal police force would not be disarmed. The mayor condemned all forms of violence and described the tragic death of 23-year-old activist Quentin Deranque at the hands of far-left militants as a profound tragedy that temporarily halted the campaign. This violent incident has intensified political tensions in Lyon, with discussions about relations with LFI becoming more fraught.

Belouassa-Cherifi underscored her main objective is to prevent Aulas from winning the mayoralty, marking a clear political rivalry. Doucet acknowledged his electoral challenges and the critical necessity of leftist support to secure a second term.

The candidates’ debate exposed stark political divides in Lyon’s election landscape, shaped by recent violence and shifting alliances. As voting approaches, the outcome hinges on whether Doucet can consolidate leftist forces or if Aulas can capitalize on his current polling advantage.

With the March 15 election date imminent, Lyon’s municipal contest remains a closely watched and evolving battle amid broader concerns about security and political stability.