Issam Benzeghiba, who became mayor of Meyzieu in March 2026, is making headlines for his innovative approach to urban management. Through regular Facebook publications, he directly communicates with citizens, sharing updates on city news, project progress, and the actions of the municipal police. This direct and transparent communication style, even for seemingly “trivial” information, has been widely praised by the residents of Meyzieu, known as Majolans, who frequently express their gratitude for his posts and the “small” improvements already implemented.
A Focus on Daily Life and Community Engagement
Benzeghiba emphasizes that these “small actions” have “great effects.” These initiatives range from simple green space clearing to the creation of pétanque courts. A significant example of his impactful actions came this summer during a series of heatwaves, when his services restored two important city fountains – in Place de Gaulle and Parc République – which had been out of service for several years. This seemingly minor announcement sparked widespread joy among residents.
The mayor believes it is crucial to address daily concerns, stating, “People want and need to know what is happening in their city, and I think we must have this concern for daily life, as our role is simply to improve it. This is where we are primarily expected. This does not prevent us from having a long-term vision for the commune and from carrying out longer-term projects, such as the city center project that we will launch in the coming months with the Metropolis.”
A Municipal Team Committed to Action
At the beginning of his mandate, a period when launching projects and implementing services can be time-consuming, the “improvement of the living environment and public spaces” has provided an effective starting point for the new municipal team. This approach demonstrates their immediate commitment to “getting to work.” Benzeghiba assures that this focus will remain “a priority” moving forward.
He highlights Meyzieu’s potential, particularly its natural spaces, which he believes are not sufficiently showcased or valued. “We must therefore develop public spaces to make people want to go there, to reclaim them. I want us to have this concern to make the city more beautiful, cleaner. For example, we will focus on flowering. It is important for me that the Majolans are proud of their commune.”
A Break from the Past and a Vision for Participatory Governance
Benzeghiba, who narrowly defeated Christophe Quiniou (LR) in the last municipal elections, suggests that his predecessor somewhat neglected this focus on daily improvements. However, he quickly adds, “But I am not here to assign good and bad points.”
Having served as an opposition councilor from 2013 to 2026, Issam Benzeghiba is now unaffiliated with any political party. He explicitly states that he is in “total rupture” with the methods of the former mayor of Meyzieu, which he considered too top-down. “I believe in participatory dimensions and collective intelligence. That doesn’t mean we don’t arbitrate or make decisions, but we must know how to put ourselves at the user’s level. In the autumn, we will also create a charter for neighborhood councils, which did not exist until then. We want to give residents back the power to act,” he concludes.
This new approach to governance, emphasizing direct communication, tangible improvements to daily life, and greater citizen participation, appears to be resonating positively with the residents of Meyzieu, setting a new tone for the city’s future development.
Source: https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/meyzieu_69282/rendre-la-ville-plus-belle-a-cote-de-lyon-les-petites-actions-de-ce-nouveau-maire-rejouissent-les-habitants_64690102.html
