Lyon Mayoral Race Heads to Runoff: Doucet and Aulas to Face Off

Lyon, France – The first round of the municipal elections in Lyon has delivered a surprising outcome, setting the stage for a closely watched runoff between incumbent Mayor Grégory Doucet and businessman Jean-Michel Aulas. The results, announced on March 15, 2026, defied pre-election polls that favored Aulas.

First Round Results

Grégory Doucet, representing the environmentalist movement, secured 37.36% of the vote, narrowly edging out Jean-Michel Aulas, who received 36.78%. Le Monde reports the outcome as a significant upset, given earlier predictions.

Anaïs Belouassa-Cherifi, the candidate from La France Insoumise (LFI), garnered over 10% of the votes and has since announced her withdrawal from the race. Libération notes that this sets the stage for a potential alliance between Doucet and LFI in the second round.

Alliance with LFI

Doucet is actively seeking an alliance with LFI for the second round, scheduled for March 22nd. He has stated the condition for this alliance is adherence to his first-round project and a commitment to non-violence and respectful discourse. Libération reports that this alliance, initially dubbed the “alliance of shame” by Aulas, is now a strong possibility.

While the agreement primarily concerns the city of Lyon, negotiations for the metropolitan elections have stalled. Tribune de Lyon highlights that LFI’s potential success in several towns within the agglomeration is influencing their negotiating position.

Challenges and Divisions on the Left

The potential alliance isn’t without internal dissent. Some factions within the left, like Place Publique, have expressed reservations about aligning with LFI. Libération reports that several members have been suspended for defying party lines by remaining on lists that include LFI candidates.

The failure to reach an agreement extends to the metropolitan elections, where the right-wing candidate Véronique Sarselli performed strongly in the first round. Disagreements between socialist mayor Hélène Geoffroy and LFI leader Florestan Groult have been cited as key obstacles to a broader left-wing coalition. Tribune de Lyon details the complexities of these negotiations.

Aulas Refuses Debate

Jean-Michel Aulas has refused to participate in a debate with Doucet due to the latter’s alliance with LFI, citing concerns about alleged anti-Semitic remarks made by LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Libération notes that Aulas previously participated in a debate with Doucet and Belouassa-Cherifi during the first round.

Looking Ahead

The second round promises to be a tight contest. Supporters of Aulas believe the alliance with LFI will galvanize their base, while Doucet’s camp hopes to capitalize on the support of left-leaning voters and secure a victory. The outcome will not only determine the next mayor of Lyon but also potentially influence the balance of power in the broader metropolitan area.