Overview

• At a Sept. 4 press event, Laurent Wauquiez formalized Les Républicains' support and 2nd arrondissement mayor Pierre Oliver withdrew to endorse Jean-Michel Aulas.
• Aulas said he will declare his candidacy "in a few days" and will run without a party label.
• He has not unveiled a full program or candidate list, but he has pledged to forgo mayoral indemnities, extend free bus, metro and tram access, expand CCTV and create a municipal transport police.
• Aulas and his backers frame the bid as turning the page on the Green-led city hall, citing concerns over security and the city's upkeep.
• An Elabe poll cited by AFP indicates he would top the first round only if the left is divided, as he courts LR and local macronist figures after consulting national figures such as Nicolas Sarkozy and Gabriel Attal while facing accusations of demagogy tied to his wealth.