Overview

• Jean-Michel Aulas, 76, announced his candidacy Thursday in a letter delivered to about 100,000 Lyon households.
• The former Olympique Lyonnais president is backed by Les Républicains, Renaissance (via Gabriel Attal), Horizons, UDI and MoDem under the new local movement Cœur lyonnais.
• He will face incumbent Green mayor Grégory Doucet in the March 2026 municipal elections, which follow a reformed system that provides for the direct election of the mayor in Lyon.
• His message centers on public safety, quality of life and a pledge to pursue a pragmatic, non-dogmatic environmental approach.
• After a walkabout Tuesday at the Point du Jour market, he plans to open the campaign with a rally Friday evening at H7 in the Confluence district.