The second round of the 2026 municipal elections in Lyon is set to be a contentious battle, marked by a sharp exchange between mayoral candidate Jean-Michel Aulas and the incumbent, Grégory Doucet. Following a surprisingly close first round where Doucet narrowly edged out Aulas, discussions between the ecologist mayor and La France Insoumise (LFI) have ignited a fiery debate. In an exclusive tribune published this Monday, March 16th, Jean-Michel Aulas has vehemently condemned the potential alliance, calling it a “betrayal” and a threat to Lyon’s future.
Aulas Questions Doucet’s Integrity: “How Dare You Ally with La France Insoumise?”
Aulas, supported by the right and center, begins his open letter by acknowledging the desire for change expressed by two-thirds of Lyonnais voters in the first round. He then directly challenges Doucet, stating, “How dare you make a pact with Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s La France Insoumise to keep your seat? Will you sacrifice the future of Lyon for your personal ambition?” This rhetorical question sets the tone for a deeply critical analysis of the proposed alliance.
Aulas argues that the citizens of Lyon, including Doucet’s own voters, deserve a clear and unambiguous clarification. He warns that integrating the far-left into the city’s leadership would place Lyon under its influence, a prospect he views with grave concern. His call for Doucet to reject this alliance echoes similar sentiments expressed by left-wing candidates in Paris and Marseille who have refused to align with LFI.
The “Disastrous” Consequences of an LFI Alliance
According to Aulas, a potential alliance with LFI would be an “unprecedented catastrophe” for Lyon. He asserts that the context of this election is vastly different from six years prior, claiming that Doucet’s previous mandate has left Lyon “damaged” and its most vulnerable citizens “weakened.” Aulas points to the significant strengthening of LFI in Lyon, which has doubled its number of voters since 2020, as evidence that the far-left has been the primary beneficiary of Doucet’s time in office.
“To hope to remain mayor, Mr. Doucet has no other choice but to place his mandate in the hands of this far-left that he has helped strengthen,” Aulas writes, emphasizing the “terrible law of compromises with extremes: extremes always end up absorbing you and imposing their law.” This statement highlights a central concern: the fear that an alliance would lead to LFI dictating the city’s policies and direction.
Debate in Question: Aulas Demands Renunciation of Alliance for a Fair Confrontation
The controversy surrounding the potential alliance has also cast a shadow over the possibility of a televised debate for the second round. Aulas explicitly states that a genuine substantive debate cannot occur with a candidate prioritizing an electoral alliance over the best interests of Lyonnais citizens. He argues that a serene republican confrontation is impossible when ideas take a backseat to an arrangement with what he describes as the worst aspects of the far-left: “sectarianism, intimidation, verbal and sometimes physical violence, dangerous complacency, and ambiguities regarding antisemitism.”
Aulas warns against the normalization of extremes, asserting that it “always opens the door to the most serious abuses in terms of democracy and peace.” He challenges Doucet directly: “If the future of our city is important to you, if you want to debate in front of the Lyonnais, then renounce this betrayal. Have the courage to clearly state that you refuse any alliance with Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Only then can we debate, project against project.”
“When You Make a Pact with the Devil, You Always End Up Paying the Price”
In a stark warning, Aulas tells Doucet, “When you make a pact with the devil, you always end up paying the price. And here, it is the Lyonnais who will pay it.” He believes that the very soul of Lyon is at stake, predicting that such an alliance would lead to a mandate of “radicality, ideological excesses, hazardous and dangerous experiments.” This, he argues, would further accelerate the city’s decline, making it increasingly difficult for those who work, build businesses, and raise families in Lyon.
Aulas’s rhetoric underscores a deep concern about the potential for extremist ideologies to undermine the city’s stability and prosperity. He poses a rhetorical question to the citizens: “Are we going to let the far-left ruin the future of Lyon?”
A Call to Action: Uniting Against Radicalism
Jean-Michel Aulas extends his appeal to all “republican voters” in Lyon, regardless of their first-round choice. He addresses those who voted for him, for other candidates, those who abstained, and even those who voted for Grégory Doucet but do not wish to see Lyon become “the first Mélenchonist stronghold in France.” His message is a simple yet profound question: “What future do you want for your city and for your daily life?”
Aulas outlines his own vision for Lyon, one centered on civil society and republican parties. He promises increased human resources for security in all neighborhoods, effective social justice through enhanced purchasing power for the most modest, and determined support for associations, small businesses, and artisans. He believes these elements are crucial for the vitality and heart of the city.
He emphasizes that the upcoming election is about more than just choosing a mayor; it’s about Lyon’s ability to remain a city of balance, responsibility, and measure. Aulas also reflects on his campaign, stating that he has always respected the rules and people, speaking to the Lyonnais with sincerity and defending his project and convictions. He asserts that he shares their concerns, difficulties, and deep attachment to Lyon.
A Mayor of Unity, Not Division
Aulas concludes his tribune by stating his desire to be a “mayor of unity.” He believes that Lyon can be led with determination and strong decisions without dividing its inhabitants or pitting them against each other. He advocates for a pragmatic approach, seeking concrete solutions rather than ideological confrontations. “Next Sunday, dear Lyonnais, you will not simply choose between two people. You will choose between two decisive scenarios for the future of our city,” he warns.
He concludes with a powerful call for collective action, urging all who love Lyon, regardless of political labels, to unite. “I call today for this collective awakening. I call on all humanists and all democrats in Lyon to come together. I call on all those who reject radicalism and division to mobilize to prevent La France Insoumise from governing Lyon, as Paris and Marseille are preparing to do.” His final plea underscores the perceived gravity of the situation: “Lyon is too great, too beautiful, and too precious a city, which we love so much, to sink into extremes. Next Sunday, together, let’s restore Lyon’s serenity, its radiance, and its audacity.”
Source: https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/lyon_69123/tribune-municipales-2026-a-lyon-jean-michel-aulas-gregory-doucet-comment-osez-vous-pactiser-avec-lfi_63998399.html
