Rouen Mayor Faces Backlash Over Free Transit Tickets for Migrants

Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol received hateful messages after allocating public funds to support migrants' administrative needs.

The Rouen-Normandie metropolitan council approved the distribution of 12,500 free transit tickets to assist migrants with administrative processes.
The initiative, costing €9,120, was aimed at reducing financial burdens on local aid organizations and facilitating integration for new arrivals.
Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol revealed receiving vulgar and xenophobic messages online in response to the decision, which he reported to the prosecutor.
Support for the mayor came from citizens and political figures, condemning the hateful rhetoric and defending the program's intent.
The tickets will be distributed through associations and the French Immigration Office, addressing an average of five essential trips per migrant annually.