Clichy, April 12, 2026 – A municipal councillor in Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, has resigned just three weeks after his election, citing anonymous allegations of sexual and gender-based violence (VSS). Lucas Watelet, an environmental activist, announced his resignation on Saturday, April 11, 2026, via an Instagram story. This development adds to a period of political instability in Clichy, following disputed municipal elections.
Councillor Acknowledges Past Acts of Violence
Watelet, who was elected to the municipal council after the second round of elections on March 22, stated that he had been informed of an anonymous testimony concerning VSS. While he specified that he did not know the precise nature of the allegations or the identity of the accuser, he admitted to having been “the author of violence” in the past, particularly in his intimate relationships and “especially before joining the Ecologists.”
In his statement, Watelet expressed his belief that those who were victims of his past actions must have found his election difficult. He offered his apologies to those who had trusted him, stating, “Today, for those whom I have wronged, for those who suffer from these violent men who are never punished and who enjoy power or recognition, and for the sincere value I attach to this struggle, duty compels me to present my resignation from the mandate entrusted to me. I know I would have expected this from a stranger accused in the same way.”
Environmental Group Acknowledges Resignation, No Formal Complaint Filed
The local environmental group in Clichy issued a statement on Sunday, acknowledging Watelet’s decision and announcing his immediate suspension from his role as group secretary. The organization clarified that it had not received the anonymous testimony and noted that “at this stage, no complaint or judicial investigation has been brought to our attention.”
Watelet’s election came after the environmental list, led by Dalila Bahmed, which garnered 9.85% of the votes in the first round of the municipal elections, merged with the leading left-wing list headed by Julie Martinez, and the LFI list of Léa Druet.
New Councillor to Join Municipal Council
The Vivre Clichy group (PS and PCF), in which Lucas Watelet sat as an independent member, confirmed that his resignation would lead to the arrival of a new councillor, Lucie Delduc, who is expected to join their ranks soon. This change in the municipal council follows a period of heightened political tension in Clichy, marked by accusations of electoral fraud concerning proxy votes, with the left-wing opposition calling for the annulment of the election results won by incumbent mayor Rémi Muzeau (LR).
The events surrounding Watelet’s resignation underscore the ongoing scrutiny of public figures regarding issues of sexual and gender-based violence, and the increasing demand for accountability within political spheres. The situation in Clichy remains under observation as the political landscape continues to evolve.
Source: https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/clichy_92024/clichy-accuse-de-violence-sexuelle-un-conseiller-municipal-demissionne-trois-semaines-apres-son-election_64130966.html
