in Marseille, the different camps are preparing the ground to try to blow away the town hall from Benoît Payan

The European elections have not yet passed, some political leaders already have another meeting in mind: that of the next municipal elections. In the Marseille city, several candidates believe they are able to compete with the current mayor of the city.

The arrival of the Olympic flame, Wednesday May 8, in Marseille is also a political event. In the crowd to attend the ceremony, there were all those who imagine themselves overthrowing Mayor Benoît Payan in the 2026 municipal elections. Several candidates are already preparing, and the RN will be the first to go on the offensive.

Franck Allisio is in charge, the native MP from Marseille really wants to introduce himself and will lay a first stone in the coming weeks. An action plan called “Marseille in order”, a sort of response to the “Place Net” operation. The formalization of his candidacy will be this fall, after validation from his party. The idea of ​​the RN is to ride on the undoubtedly high score of the Europeans. “When there is a wave we don’t know how far it can go”says Franck Allisio’s entourage. “We take advantage of each election to prepare for the next one”, confirms a party strategist. The RN imagines itself to be the “only real alternative” to the outgoing left-wing mayor. Franck Allisio hopes to unite beyond his camp, to achieve the union of the rights via his RPR movement, a brand that he has recovered. He ensures that he exchanges with personalities from other parties. On his way, he will find another well-established far-right elected official: Stéphane Ravier, now in Éric Zemmour’s party, who enjoys a strong reputation.

Several representatives of the macronie are also in the starting blocks to take the Marseille city. This is the case of Marseille minister Sabrina Agresti-Roubache. She barely hides her intentions. “I will play my part whatever happens in 2026 so that the city changes”, says the one who is in charge of the ‘Marseille en grand’ plan. She recently transformed her legislative campaign financing association into a micro-party with the evocative name “With Sabrina.” Sabrina Agresti-Rubache a personality described as “divisive”.

Renaud Muselier’s strategy

The most active behind the scenes is undoubtedly Renaud Muselier. Boss of the Paca region, who moved from the Republicans to Renaissance, he began a reconciliation operation with his former camp, with this idea: let’s not repeat the errors of the past, let’s unite the right and the center to regain Marseille.
A logic to which several Republican executives adhere, such as senator Stéphane Le Rudulier or sector mayor Marion Bareille, who agree to work on a common program. The Republican right is in need of incarnation. “After all, Muselier still calls himself right-wing and without this gathering, we are all headed for failure”, analyzes an elected LR. To prepare the ground, Renaud Muselier even created a movement: “RPR-Sud” (well, well!) in order not to leave this mark on the far right.

The regional president assures that he does not want to lead the future list.“He has time to change his mind”, laughs those around him. Martine Vassal, who has also just left the LR party, is also being considered. These two could form a ticket for town hall and the city.