Vaulx-en-Velin, France – Hélène Geoffroy, the current Socialist Party (PS) mayor of Vaulx-en-Velin, a vibrant commune in the Lyon metropolitan area, has officially declared her intention to seek re-election in the 2026 municipal elections. The announcement, made on Thursday, December 11, 2025, during the BFM Lyon program ‘Lyon Politique’ in partnership with actu Lyon, signals her bid for a third consecutive term at the helm of the city.
A Challenging Path Ahead for the Incumbent Mayor
Geoffroy, who secured a comfortable re-election in 2020 with over 40% of the vote, is preparing for what is anticipated to be a more arduous campaign. The socialist official, also Vice-President of the Métropole de Lyon and a former Member of Parliament and Secretary of State under François Hollande, faces a formidable challenge from La France Insoumise (LFI), a party that has significantly strengthened its position in the region over the past few years.
LFI Gears Up for a Strong Challenge with Abdelkader Lahmar
The political landscape in Vaulx-en-Velin is further complicated by Geoffroy’s divergence from the national PS leadership, aligning her with a more social-democratic wing of the party. Her current majority includes members from Horizons, the movement led by Édouard Philippe. While LFI has yet to officially name its candidate for the commune, Abdelkader Lahmar, the local Member of Parliament, is widely expected to lead their campaign. Lahmar is known for advocating a clear break from the PS and Hélène Geoffroy’s policies.
Greens Divided as Internal Vote on Alliances is Postponed
The ecological party, a potential swing factor, is currently embroiled in an internal dispute. A local internal vote to decide on potential alliances with either the incumbent PS mayor or LFI has been postponed due to allegations of LFI and socialist activists registering as Green party members. Despite this, Bruno Bernard, the Green president of the Métropole de Lyon, has already expressed his support for his Vice-President, Hélène Geoffroy.
No Alliance with LFI and Initial Policy Announcements
During her announcement, Mayor Geoffroy unequivocally stated that there would be no alliance with La France Insoumise in the second round of the elections. She also unveiled key aspects of her campaign platform, focusing on public safety and urban development. Her proposals include tripling the number of surveillance cameras to exceed 300 by the end of the next mandate and increasing the recruitment of municipal police officers. In terms of housing, she aims to establish a ‘living environment brigade’ to combat substandard housing conditions in both social and private sectors. For the youth, Geoffroy emphasized her commitment to creating a new contract aimed at fostering their development and integration.
Furthermore, Geoffroy expressed support for the creation of a metropolitan police force, specifically dedicated to environmental issues. She also backed the extension of Metro Line A towards Décines-Charpieu and Meyzieu, albeit with a longer-term implementation timeline. These initial policy announcements highlight her focus on practical solutions to local challenges, setting the tone for her re-election campaign.
The upcoming municipal elections in Vaulx-en-Velin are poised to be a closely watched political contest, reflecting broader national trends and local dynamics within the French political landscape.
