On Tuesday, a crucial televised debate ahead of the local elections took place in Lyon, dominated by the topic of security following the riots of February 12. Incumbent mayor Grégory Doucet defended his policy of "humanism," while centrist-right leader Jean-Michel Aulas accused the authorities of allowing radicalization. La France Insoumise candidate Anaïs Belouassa-Cherifi declared that her priority was to block Aulas. The debate, moderated by Apolline de Malherbe, revealed deep divisions in the city.

Debate on security after the riots

Tuesday's televised confrontation in Lyon focused on the events of February 12 and the authorities' responsibility for public security.

Doucet's strategy versus Aulas's course

The incumbent mayor defended his policy of "humanism," while Aulas advocated for a tougher stance and an increase in police patrols.

LFI's priority: blocking Aulas

Anaïs Belouassa-Cherifi declared that her main goal is to prevent Jean-Michel Aulas from winning the election.

Lyon as a microcosm of France

The election campaign in France's third-largest city has become a battleground over the model for managing security.

Tuesday's televised debate "Lyon le débat," moderated by journalist Apolline de Malherbe, focused on public security after the violent riots that shook the city on February 12. Grégory Doucet defended his strategy, emphasizing that his "guiding principle has been and will remain humanism." He accused his opponents of instrumentalizing the tragedy for electoral purposes. „Ma boussole a été et sera l’humanisme.” (My guiding principle has been and will remain humanism.) — Grégory Doucet Meanwhile, Jean-Michel Aulas, candidate of the Cœur Lyonnais committee, presented himself as a statesman capable of restoring order. He accused the current authorities of allowing the influence of extremist groups to grow and advocated for a tougher stance against militias and an increase in municipal police patrols. His rhetoric was aimed at voters concerned about a lack of security. Lyon has a long history of political tensions and violence – in 1831, the Canut Revolt (the weavers' uprising) broke out here, the first armed workers' uprising in France, which laid the foundations for the labor movement.The debate was particularly complicated by the stance of Anaïs Belouassy-Cherifi from La France Insoumise, who directly declared: "My priority is that Jean-Michel Aulas does not become the next mayor." This position suggests the possibility of a broad left-wing agreement ahead of a potential second round of voting, despite deep ideological differences between the ecologists around Doucet and the radical left. „Ma priorité est que Jean-Michel Aulas ne devienne pas le prochain maire.” (My priority is that Jean-Michel Aulas does not become the next mayor.) — Anaïs Belouassa-Cherifi The debate took place in a tense atmosphere, as Lyon has become a symbol of the broader French debate on the limits of assembly freedom, the role of law enforcement, and the responsibility of local authorities to protect citizens from political violence. The election results in France's third-largest city will be closely analyzed as a barometer of social sentiment across the country.

Mentioned People

  • Grégory Doucet — Incumbent mayor of Lyon, Union of the Left candidate
  • Jean-Michel Aulas — Candidate for mayor of Lyon from the Cœur Lyonnais committee, former president of Olympique Lyonnais
  • Anaïs Belouassa-Cherifi — Candidate for mayor of Lyon from La France Insoumise
  • Apolline de Malherbe — BFMTV journalist, moderator of the election debate