In the Rhône region, the municipal elections in Vaulx-en-Velin and Vénissieux were annulled by the courts.
The Lyon Administrative Court annulled the municipal elections in Vénissieux and Vaulx-en-Velin on September 29, 2026. The elections, won in March by candidates from La France Insoumise (LFI), were contested in both Rhône municipalities due to irregularities found on opposing lists and very close margins of victory. A third annulment is being considered in Saint-Fons, but the court has not yet issued its ruling.
Two elections invalidated on the same day
In Vénissieux, the court annulled all the elections held on March 15 and 22, 2026. The list headed by Idir Boumertit (LFI) had won by 25 votes over that of Michèle Picard, supported by the left-wing coalition. The case concerned the list backed by the National Rally and the UDR.
A few hours later, the administrative court also invalidated the election in Vaulx-en-Velin. Abdelkader Lahmar, a member of parliament for La France Insoumise (LFI), had defeated the incumbent Socialist mayor, Hélène Geoffroy, by 104 votes.
An irregularity on the centrist list in Vaulx-en-Velin
The decision concerning Vaulx-en-Velin relates to the ballots for the centrist list headed by Christine Bertin. The Dutch nationality of one of the candidates was not mentioned on the ballot, contrary to the requirements of the Electoral Code. Christine Bertin stated that this oversight was made in good faith.
Abdelkader Lahmar called the decision « incomprehensible and absurd » and asserted that the irregularities were not attributable to his list. The municipality announced its intention to appeal to the Council of State. If the annulment is upheld, a new election will have to be held.
Saint-Fons, a third case pending
In Saint-Fons, the public rapporteur recommended on September 29th the annulment of the election of Hadi Mebarki (LFI). She noted an irregularity on the list of the outgoing mayor, Christian Duchêne, classified as a left-wing independent. This recommendation does not yet constitute a court decision: the election therefore remains, at this stage, separate from the two elections already annulled.
The decisions in Vénissieux and Vaulx-en-Velin thus call into question two victories for La France Insoumise, achieved by narrow margins. In Saint-Fons, the outcome will depend on the decision of the administrative court.
Source: All the news from the Journal du dimanche (www.lejdd.fr)
Original article: See the original source
Author: leJDD
