The current mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, has officially submitted his list of candidates for the upcoming 2026 municipal elections. At the top of the "Printemps Marseillais" list is Payan himself, followed in second place by his predecessor as mayor, Michèle Rubirola. In third place is anti-drug activist Amine Kessaci, whose brother was likely murdered in retaliation for his activism in November of last year. The announcement comes amid internal tensions within Payan's coalition and during a campaign where one controversial topic is the plan to open "haltes soins addictions" (addiction care centers).

Third Place for Activist

Amine Kessaci, a member of the Greens and a close associate of Mayor Payan, was placed in third position. His commitment to fighting drugs has been marked by family tragedy.

Return of Former Mayor

Michèle Rubirola, the first woman elected mayor of Marseille, who resigned after six months in 2020, occupies second place on the list, serving as symbolic support for Payan.

Controversial Campaign Topic

The electoral debate in the city has been dominated by the issue of opening a specialized center for people with addictions, a promise made by the left in 2020 that remains unfulfilled.

Tragedy in the Background of the Campaign

Amine Kessaci conducts his activism in the shadow of violence. His brother Mehdi was most likely murdered for intimidation purposes in November 2025, and another brother died in 2020.

The incumbent mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, has confirmed the composition of his "Printemps Marseillais" electoral list for the upcoming municipal elections in 2026. The list, submitted on Wednesday, symbolizes a blend of continuity in power and an attempt at political renewal. In first place is Payan himself, who took over the position from his predecessor.

A key element of his strategy is the return to the city's political scene of Michèle Rubirola. This doctor and Green Party politician, who in 2020 became the first woman ever elected mayor of Marseille, occupies second place. Her term was exceptionally short, as she resigned after just six months, citing health reasons and recommending Benoît Payan as her successor. Throughout the current term, she has served as first deputy mayor, responsible among other things for health affairs.

However, Payan's most telling gesture appears to be placing Amine Kessaci in third position. He is a well-known activist fighting the drug trade in the city's tough neighborhoods. His personal history is dramatically intertwined with this commitment. In November 2025, his brother, Mehdi Kessaci, was shot dead. The investigation indicates the murder was an act of intimidation directly targeting Amine's activities. This is not the first tragedy in the Kessaci family – in 2020, the charred body of another brother, Brahim, who had links to drug trafficking, was found. „„Je ne sors pas avec mes amis”” — Amine Kessaci – Kessaci admitted in an interview, describing life under constant police protection.

Payan's decision to include Kessaci in the list's top leadership is a clear signal to voters weary of drug-related crime. Simultaneously, the campaign revolves around another equally inflammatory health topic. As reported by "Le Figaro", the issue of opening a center for people with addictions in Marseille has become an "explosive" topic of debate. The promise to create it, made by the left back in 2020, remains unfulfilled to this day, a fact candidates are using in the political battle.

The list announcement comes at a difficult time for the coalition governing the city. As noted by "20minutes", "Printemps Marseillais" is grappling with internal tensions and fierce electoral competition. Leveraging both the authority of former mayor Rubirola and the moral capital of activist Kessaci aims to strengthen Payan's wavering position and renew his mandate in a city that has been struggling with numerous social problems for years.

Mentioned People

  • Benoît Payan — Incumbent mayor of Marseille, leader of the Printemps Marseillais electoral list
  • Amine Kessaci — Anti-drug activist, member of the Greens, placed in 3rd position on Payan's list
  • Michèle Rubirola — Former mayor of Marseille, doctor, currently first deputy mayor, in 2nd place on the list
  • Mehdi Kessaci — Brother of Amine Kessaci, murdered in November 2025, likely in retaliation for his brother's activism
  • Brahim Kessaci — Brother of Amine Kessaci, whose charred body was found in 2020; was involved in drug trafficking