On February 24, 2026, the four leading candidates for the mayoralty of Lyon, Jean-Michel Aulas, Grégory Doucet, Anaïs Belouassa-Cherifi, and Alexandre Dupalais, participated in a debate organized by BFMTV in collaboration with Le Figaro. This event comes less than a month before the first round of municipal elections scheduled for March 15. The debate was significant for reviving the political campaign in Lyon, which had been momentarily stalled due to the tragic death of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old identity activist, who was killed in a violent altercation earlier this month.

The debate provided a platform for the candidates to present their visions for Lyon's future, touching on key urban issues and their proposed solutions. With the candidacy of Aulas, former president of Olympique Lyonnais, there was notable attention on how his sports management experience might translate into effective governance in the city's administration. The candidates aimed to capture the public's support as they outlined their proposals on various topics ranging from public services to urban development.

As Lyon prepares for these pivotal elections, this debate highlights the intensity of the local political landscape and the significance of each candidate's platform in influencing electors. The backdrop of recent events adds additional weight to the electoral stakes, potentially affecting voter sentiments and turnout. The outcome of these elections could reshape governance in Lyon, making the candidates’ performances in debates like this one crucial for their political futures.