Martine Aubry Steps Down as Mayor of Lille After 24 Years

The long-serving socialist leader announces her resignation, passing the reins to deputy Arnaud Deslandes ahead of the 2026 municipal elections.

Martine Aubry, mayor of Lille since 2001, has announced her resignation effective mid-March 2025, marking the end of a 24-year tenure.
She cites a desire to make way for a new generation of leadership while expressing pride in her administration's achievements in urban transformation and governance.
Aubry has proposed her deputy, Arnaud Deslandes, as her successor, but internal competition within the Socialist Party for the 2026 elections remains likely.
Known for her role in national politics, including the implementation of France's 35-hour workweek, Aubry emphasized she is not retiring from political life entirely.
Tributes from political figures across the spectrum highlight her impact on Lille's development and her legacy as a prominent figure in French left-wing politics.