An interview conducted in 2022 with Mohamed Chihi, the Deputy for Security in Lyon, has resurfaced amid controversy. In it, Chihi discussed the city's collaboration with the anti-fascist group La Jeune Garde in efforts to combat the rise of the far-right. This statement has attracted attention and criticism from political opponents in light of recent events surrounding far-right activities in the area, including the death of 23-year-old Quentin Déranque.

Chihi specifically mentioned working alongside various associations, including La Jeune Garde and Planning Familial, to face identity movements that threaten the social fabric of Lyon. His comments spotlight the ongoing struggle between left-leaning municipal policies and rising right-wing sentiments. The Young Guard, recently dissolved in 2025, was part of a radical left response to what many perceive as increasing far-right influence in local politics.

The timing of this discussion is particularly acute following tensions related to a recent conference by activist Rima Hassan, which became a flashpoint for protests. The opposition has seized on Chihi's remarks, using them to question the legitimacy of the ecological majority's partnerships and strategies against extremism, thereby igniting a broader debate about the implications of such alliances within the political landscape of Lyon and France as a whole.