In a televised debate on February 24, 2026, Lyon's ecologist mayor Grégory Doucet said he was open to allying with LFI candidate Anaïs Belouassa Cherifi in the second round of the municipal elections, with conditions. The debate, featuring the main candidates, focused on the death of militant Quentin Deranque and security issues. Poll favorite Jean-Michel Aulas faced attacks on his record and political backing.
On February 24, 2026, less than three weeks before the first round of Lyon's municipal elections on March 15 and 22, the four main candidates clashed in a debate organized by BFMTV in partnership with Le Figaro. Incumbent ecologist mayor Grégory Doucet, Jean-Michel Aulas backed by the right and center (43% voting intentions per an Elabe poll), Anaïs Belouassa Cherifi (LFI, 10%), and Alexandre Dupalais (UDR-RN, 6%) discussed security, alliances, and the death of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old far-right militant beaten to death on February 12 in Lyon.
Doucet called the incident 'shocking' and opened the door to an alliance with Belouassa Cherifi in the second round, 'but with certain conditions,' particularly that no one in her team be 'involved in violence.' He added: 'On the evening of the first round, the people of Lyon will have sent us a message,' and it would be 'our responsibility' to hear it. Belouassa Cherifi replied that her priority is to prevent Aulas from becoming mayor: 'I will do everything in my power to ensure that does not happen.'
Deranque's death, linked to suspects from the antifascist Jeune Garde (founded in 2018 by LFI deputy Raphaël Arnault and dissolved in June 2025), dominated the discussion. Belouassa Cherifi condemned violence while calling herself an 'antifascist militant.' The government has asked the courts to investigate a possible reconstitution of the group, and Emmanuel Macron requested dissolution proceedings against its local offshoots. A tribute march for Deranque drew 3,200 people the previous Saturday, marred by Nazi salutes.
On security, Aulas proposes bolstering video surveillance, criticizing the lack of cameras in some districts. Doucet defends his record, noting the low delinquency rate in the 4th arrondissement, and announces 50 anti-incivility agents. Dupalais wants 5,000 cameras and 30 neighborhood police officers, while Belouassa Cherifi favors proximity policing without firearms.
Aulas, a 76-year-old political novice, presented himself as a civil society candidate but was called an 'empty shell' by Belouassa Cherifi and 'out of touch' by Doucet. Dupalais attacked his LR and Macron backing, which Aulas defends as relevant on many issues.
