Benzema Backs Lyon Mayoral Bid by Former Football President Aulas

Karim Benzema’s foray into French politics is proving to be a significant boost for Jean-Michel Aulas, the former Olympique Lyonnais president currently campaigning to become the mayor of Lyon. While not a typical endorsement from a global football star, Benzema’s public support, coupled with that of former teammate Bafétimbi Gomis, has injected a unique dynamic into the mayoral race.

The endorsement from Benzema, delivered in late January via a video played on LCI news channel, highlighted Aulas’s leadership qualities. “He has everything it takes to do well,” Benzema stated, adding that Aulas is someone “people listen to” with a clear vision and extensive experience. This support was quickly followed by Gomis, who appeared in a campaign video backing Aulas, signaling a united front from prominent figures associated with the club’s past successes.

Aulas, who spent 36 years at the helm of Lyon until 2023, is positioning his campaign as one focused on the city itself, rather than partisan politics. “What we have is not the candidacy of a party, but that of a Lyonnais,” he declared upon launching his bid in September. He aims to unseat the current mayor, Grégory Doucet, a Green politician leading a left-wing coalition. Recent polls suggest Aulas is currently in a strong position, consistently polling around 40% ahead of the first round of voting.

Despite claiming to be above party lines – describing himself as a “civil society” candidate – Aulas has actively sought support from various political factions. His coalition includes parties spanning the political spectrum, from President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party to the right-wing Les Républicains, demonstrating a broad appeal that extends beyond traditional political boundaries.

Aulas’s continued influence in French football – he currently serves as vice-president of the French Football Federation (FFF) and president of the national women’s football league – has, however, raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Recently, he was compelled to retract a campaign promise to construct a stadium in Lyon’s La Duchère neighborhood for a local fifth-tier club, following intervention from the FFF’s ethics committee. The committee reminded him to refrain from making football-related promises, a directive issued back in September.

The involvement of high-profile former players like Benzema and Gomis has not been without its critics. Gautier Chapuis, a deputy mayor seeking re-election, argued that while respect for these players is warranted, it shouldn’t overshadow the lack of substantive policy proposals from Aulas. “What matters to people is finding housing, getting healthcare and being able to feel safe in the city,” Chapuis stated, contrasting the star power with the everyday concerns of Lyon’s residents.

Pierre Oliver, the Républicains’ mayor of Lyon’s second arrondissement and a key member of Aulas’s campaign team, countered that Aulas’s success with Olympique Lyonnais and his entrepreneurial background – he founded the software company Cegid – make him uniquely qualified to lead the city. He noted that the campaign has resonated with fans who view Aulas as “their president” and feel compelled to support him.

Further complicating matters is a proposed new metro line that would serve an indoor arena owned by Holnest, Aulas’s family investment firm. This has fueled accusations of a conflict of interest, which Oliver dismissed, stating that Aulas had transferred his professional activities to his son and that the project’s primary benefit would be improved access to the airport.

Romain Meltz, a political science professor at Lumière University Lyon 2, suggests that Aulas’s campaign has evolved over time. Initially seeking broader support, the arrival of Laurent Wauquiez, a prominent figure from Les Républicains, shifted the coalition to the right, limiting the potential for center-left alliances.

Paul Bacot, a political scientist at ENS Lyon, posited that Aulas’s mayoral bid could be viewed as a new challenge after a distinguished career in football. “Some might see it as Aulas looking for something to do in retirement, or one last trophy to add to his cabinet,” Bacot observed, adding that Aulas consistently emphasizes his entrepreneurial experience as a qualification for managing the city.

The recent killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque in Lyon and the subsequent investigation involving members of a banned far-left collective has also become a focal point of the campaign. Aulas called for Deranque’s portrait to be displayed at city hall, arguing for a tribute to “one of its sons” and a rejection of violence and hatred. Mayor Doucet declined the request, criticizing Aulas for what he termed an “indecent political appropriation” of the tragedy.

During a televised debate, Aulas faced questions regarding accusations that he tolerated violent individuals within Lyon’s “ultra” groups. He vehemently denied these claims, stating that he had always condemned violence and excesses during his time as president of Olympique Lyonnais. He later admitted to struggling in the debate, attributing it to his lack of experience in the political arena, and subsequently skipped a subsequent debate, drawing criticism from Doucet.

As the campaign nears its conclusion, Jean-Michel Aulas, the former football club president, remains the frontrunner in the race to become the next mayor of Lyon, demonstrating the enduring power of his legacy and the unexpected influence of footballing endorsements in the world of French politics.