Overview

• Vassal announced her candidacy at the Une Génération pour Marseille gathering, flanked by Renaud Muselier, Sabrina Agresti-Roubache and Valérie Boyer.
• The president of the Bouches-du-Rhône department and the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis set security and the economy as priorities, pledging an anti-begging decree, stronger municipal policing and expanded video surveillance.
• Rassemblement National deputy Franck Allisio is already in the race, pointing to RN-Ciotti gains in the legislatives and about 30% in the European vote in Marseille.
• Incumbent mayor Benoît Payan has not disclosed his plans as ecologist and left figures debate unity and prepare separate lists.
• A preliminary inquiry into alleged embezzlement and influence peddling involving Vassal and a possible reform introducing separate ballots for council and sector mayors add uncertainty to the campaign.