In Marseille, the submission of electoral lists by outgoing mayor Benoît Payan has sparked tensions within his left-wing majority, with sidelined deputies denouncing brutal decisions. Meanwhile, RN candidate Franck Allisio, polling at 34% of voting intentions, presented priority measures including an 'anti-thugs pass' for parks and beaches. These developments come two weeks before the first round of the 2026 municipal elections.
On February 25, 2026, Benoît Payan, Marseille's outgoing mayor, finalized his list for the central sector in the municipal elections. This composition has triggered sharp tensions within his left-wing majority, led by the Printemps marseillais coalition since the 2020 victory. Patrick Amico, the eleventh deputy mayor and one of the coalition's founders, found himself in the 71st position on the list, a spot unlikely to be eligible. 'I absolutely did not expect this,' he said, sounding stunned. He had led housing policies under the mandates of Michèle Rubirola and Benoît Payan, prioritizing the fight against slumlords and Airbnb rentals. Amico insists: 'I don't understand.' Several sidelined deputies denounce brutal decisions, and some have chosen to submit their own lists. One of them compares the situation to 'the Soviets.'
Meanwhile, two weeks before the first round, the Rassemblement national (RN) candidate, Franck Allisio, a deputy from Bouches-du-Rhône, held a press conference on February 26. Placed ahead in an Opinionway poll for CNews, Europe 1, and Le JDD – where he garners 34% of votes, tied with Payan, ahead of Martine Vassal (14%) and Sébastien Delogu (14%) – Allisio displays confidence: 'We know victory is within reach of the ballot.' He is preparing 'to exercise power' and details his first measures for the first 100 days: a municipal police recruitment plan, a cleanliness plan with rapid intervention teams, no tax increases and a future reduction in property tax, as well as a dual financial and land audit to end waste.
Among these proposals, the 'familles minots senior pass,' dubbed by some an 'anti-thugs pass,' aims to reserve areas in parks and beaches for families with children up to 16 years old and seniors over 65. 'This will allow, on a transitional basis before the police recruitment plan, all Marseillais to enjoy their public spaces,' explains Allisio, who claims to have consulted lawyers. He plans to have it voted on in the first municipal council. This poll was conducted partly after the controversy surrounding Martine Vassal, who referenced the Vichy-era motto 'Travail, famille, patrie' during a debate on February 20, remarks she later called 'clumsy.'
These upheavals highlight fractures within Marseille's left and the RN's momentum in a tight election.
