Overview
- Benoît Payan formally entered the March 15 and 22 municipal race, confirming he will lead the broad left Printemps marseillais coalition.
- Polling reported by multiple outlets shows a close contest with Martine Vassal for the right and RN’s Franck Allisio, with LFI’s Sébastien Delogu running separately.
- Payan vows to raise the municipal force from roughly 800 officers to about 1,600 and to open a station in each arrondissement, noting 802 contracts are slated to be signed by February 20.
- He highlights his record of more than 5,000 unfit homes rehabilitated, 525 emergency shelter places added, school rebuilding under Marseille en grand, tree planting, and city finances he says have been strengthened, and he promises a major coastal project.
- He warns an RN victory would fracture the city and deter investment, as Marine Le Pen plans a January 16 rally in Marseille to back Allisio.