Bouches-du-Rhône MP Sébastien Delogu has been officially nominated by La France insoumise to become leader of the radical left party list in the municipal elections in Marseille, he announced this Sunday, November 16.
“I want to bring the people back to power and not let Marseille fall under the hands of criminals who practice favoritism and clientelism as this city is known for,” said the elected official from the northern district, who is accustomed to pulling off brilliant coups that have won him support but also his share of criticism.
“Marseille Spring”, a left-wing coalition led by the current mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan (former PS), “There should be a split with the right-wing system when in reality they are jointly managing the city”, denounced the rebels, referring to the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis led by the far-right Martine Vassal, who is also a candidate for the municipal elections.
In Marseille, France’s second city, the LFI filed an independent candidacy, as in Lyon and Paris, where Sophia Chikirou will lead the rebel list. “We will not close the door on a second round for left-wing unity,” however, says Sébastien Delogu, who has benefited from the support of Sébastien Barles, the deputy mayor responsible for the energy transition and the citizens’ movement of his neighborhood Vaï as well as the party of the related deputy LFI Aymeric Caron, Ecological Revolution for Life (REV).
The outgoing mayor, Benoît Payan (different from the left), has not yet formalized his candidacy but must bring together prominent communists, socialists and some environmental activists. Sébastien Delogu’s list will include “people committed to Marseille” and its program for Marseille, presented later, will focus on housing, health and the ecological emergency.
On the other side of the political spectrum, the right and center have rallied around Martine Vassal who has received support from the Republican Party, Horizons, and recently the president’s Renaissance party.
On the far right, Franck Allisio (National Rally) is the candidate, now with the support of senator Stéphane Ravier, who once joined Eric Zemmour and his Reconquest party. Sébastien Delogu expressed his opinion on this matter “very calm about the fact that Marseille is anti-racist, anti-fascist and that Marseille will rise up to give voice to its people and that the extreme right will not come to power.”
