Ecologist Grégory Doucet was re-elected mayor of Lyon in the March 22, 2026, municipal election runoff with 50.67% of votes (104,702 ballots) against 49.33% (101,940 votes) for Jean-Michel Aulas, a margin of 2,762 votes. Aulas announced plans to challenge the results over alleged irregularities, while the right gained control of the Lyon metropolis.
In the second round of the 2026 Lyon municipal elections on Sunday, March 22, outgoing EELV mayor Grégory Doucet, 52, secured re-election for a seven-year term with 104,702 votes (50.67%), edging out Jean-Michel Aulas, former Olympique Lyonnais president backed by the right and center-right, who received 101,940 votes (49.33%). Definitive results published by Le Figaro at 00:16 on March 23 showed the lead at under 3,000 votes.
Doucet, leading a broad left coalition that sealed a technical alliance with La France Insoumise (LFI) between rounds—allowing 7-9 LFI members into the council without executive roles—claimed victory at 22:47 before supporters: “I want to thank you, you mobilized night and day for two weeks. A new page for Lyon has been written.” His deputy Gautier Chapuis added: “This election shows you should neither trust polls nor change electoral law before an election,” highlighting a campaign where Aulas, initially favored, faltered after proposals like a road tunnel criticized by ecologists.
Aulas expressed reservations: “I take note of Mr. Doucet’s tiny lead and already express reservations about the final result due to the many irregularities observed,” stating a challenge would be filed “today, tomorrow, in the coming hours.” He told backers: “In Grégory Doucet's place I wouldn't gloat [...] given the numerous irregularities in this ballot we have filed a challenge.” LFI deputy Anaïs Belouassa-Cherifi criticized: “When you lose, you admit defeat with honor and grace. What Jean-Michel Aulas is doing is the opposite.” Doucet expressed “great confidence in the public agents” overseeing the vote.
Meanwhile, the right, led by Véronique Sarselli (LR, mayor of Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon), won 10 of 14 Lyon metropolis districts, leading to cohabitation. Chapuis noted negotiations would proceed “project by project.” An LR official lamented the campaign's lack of focus on security and cleanliness. This tight race in France's third-largest city reflects national political shifts.
