Overview
- Karim Benzema endorsed Jean‑Michel Aulas by videoconference on LCI, praising his experience and saying he has everything to succeed.
- Recent surveys reported by French media place Aulas as the first‑round favorite against incumbent ecologist mayor Grégory Doucet.
- Aulas used his LCI appearance to present himself as a pragmatic candidate who rejects extremes and listens to ideas from both right and left.
- His platform prioritizes public safety, greener policies guided by common sense, and improved mobility for France’s third‑largest city.
- The independent candidate, supported by a wide center‑right coalition, is campaigning toward the two‑round municipal vote on March 15 and 22, 2026.