Political Alliance Forms to Challenge Lyon’s Metropolitan Leadership
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A new coalition led by Véronique Sarselli and Jean-Michel Aulas aims to unseat the current environmentalist governance in Greater Lyon, France’s second-largest metropolis.
A significant political realignment is underway in Lyon, France, as former Olympique Lyonnais (OL) boss Jean-Michel Aulas and Véronique Sarselli, the LR mayor of Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon, have forged an alliance to challenge the current leadership of greater Lyon. The partnership, announced Tuesday, seeks to wrest control of the powerful metropolitan area from the environmentalists ahead of the March elections. Should they succeed, Sarselli is poised to become the president of Greater Lyon, a region encompassing 1.4 million inhabitants.
Aulas and Sarselli Unite for metropolitan Control
Aulas, who is also a candidate for mayor of Lyon, and Sarselli, a key figure in the metropolitan elections, are presenting a united front to reclaim the community from its current leadership. According to a statement released following the inauguration of their campaign headquarters, Sarselli has agreed to allow Aulas to serve alongside her in the metropolitan executive should they win in March.
The foundation of this alliance rests on a commitment to “democratic clarity,” wiht a firm stance against any collaboration with political extremes, either in the first or second round of voting. the two parties have also agreed to ensure parity in the leadership of their lists across the 14 constituencies. “I thank you for forming this union with the mayors on the front line,” Sarselli stated,emphasizing the importance of collaboration with local leaders. She was appointed by her party earlier this year to spearhead the campaign for Greater Lyon, the only French urban community elected through direct universal suffrage.
Building Momentum and Avoiding Extremes
Aulas began campaigning for the Lyon town hall in September, operating without a formal party affiliation but garnering support from a broad coalition spanning the center and right. Polling data currently positions him as a strong contender against the incumbent environmentalist mayor, Grégory Doucet. Aulas intends to leverage this momentum at the metropolitan level, campaigning under the banner of “Grand coeur lyonnais.” While he had recently secured endorsements from elected officials within Renaissance and MoDem, Sarselli’s support was initially slower to materialize.
Sarselli explained Tuesday that her backing of the “Grand Coeur Lyonnais” initiative stems from a desire to “gather” support and address the “highly anticipated” calls for change from residents. The current president of Greater Lyon, ecologist Bruno Bernard, 54, has yet to formally announce his re-election bid.
Established in 2015, Greater Lyon consolidated the responsibilities previously held by the department across its 58 municipalities. The metropolis operates with a ample budget of nearly 4 billion eur
Why: The current environmentalist administration in Greater Lyon is facing a challenge from a new political alliance. Residents have expressed a desire for change.
Who: Véronique Sarselli (LR mayor of Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon) and Jean-Michel Aulas (former OL boss) are leading the alliance against Bruno Bernard (current president of Greater Lyon).
What: sarselli and Aulas have formed an alliance to unseat the current environmentalist leadership in Greater Lyon ahead of the March elections. If successful, Sarselli is expected to become the president.
