Lyon: Jean-Michel Aulas calls on the mayor to hang Quentin Deranque's portrait on the town hall
Jean-Michel Aulas has urged Lyon's mayor to display the portrait of Quentin Deranque, a recently deceased nationalist activist, at the town hall, while the mayor seeks to ban a tribute march in Deranque's honor.
In Lyon, Jean-Michel Aulas, a prominent political opponent and candidate in the upcoming municipal elections, has publicly called on Mayor Grégory Doucet to honor Quentin Deranque by displaying his portrait at the front of the town hall. Aulas framed this request as a significant symbolic act, emphasizing that it would not only honor the memory of Deranque, who was killed last week, but also serve as a statement against violence and hate, suggesting that the city should actively remember and reflect on the tragic event rather than move past it without acknowledgment.
The request comes in stark contrast to the mayor's response, who has taken a different stance by requesting the prefecture to prohibit a planned demonstration in memory of Deranque. This initiative has highlighted the tensions between differing political views regarding how to address the controversial circumstances of Deranque's death, reflecting broader social and political divides in Lyon. Aulas's comments suggest that he sees value in commemorating Deranque as part of a larger conversation on community values and collective memory.
As the municipal elections approach, these events underscore the politically charged atmosphere in Lyon, where issues of nationalism and memorialization intersect with local governance. The differing approaches of Aulas and Doucet not only reveal their divergent political ideologies but could also influence public sentiment and voter behavior in the upcoming elections. Aulas's push for a tribute could resonate with parts of the electorate who share his views, potentially shaping the campaign dynamics.