Contested Municipal Elections 2026: Convicted Corruption Offender Alain Carignon Targets Grenoble Comeback
From Scandal to Comeback: Alain Carignon's 2026 Mayoral Bid
Hey there! Let's chat about a former mayor stirring up some buzz again.
Alain Carignon: The Man Returning to the Arena
This guy, Alain Carignon, was once the mayor of Grenoble, but he's got a shady past. He did time in the clinker back in '96 for corruption business. Now, he's announced he's running again for the 2026 municipal elections like he ain't got a care in the world!
"I'm up for leading a dedicated team, in love with Grenoble, serving all the locals.", Carignon says in a video posted on socials.
"Look around, there's several crises that are fixin' to wreck and destroy Grenoble's future, financially, securely, ecologically, socially", he adds, seen wandering through some old neighborhoods then hiking up to a spot overlooking the city.
Five Years Behind Bars
A member of the RPR (now known as The Republicans) back then, Carignon also served as a Jacques Chirac and Edouard Balladur minister. He ran Grenoble for two terms, from 1983 to 1994. His prison sentence came in 1996, five years for corruption and abuse of social goods, tied to the so-called "Dauphiné News" case, which dealt with campaign financing. Carignon served 29 months before getting an early release in 1998.
He tried to make a comeback in the 2007 legislative elections, but failed. He lost the 2020 municipal election, which he'd called his "last lap," at age 76. Ever since, he's been butting heads with the current, ecological mayor Eric Piolle on the municipal council. Piolle announced he won't run again in 2026.
So, watch out for Carignon! This cat's got a taste for politics and he's back for more, despite his slip-ups and serving time. The 2026 elections are gonna be a wild ride!
"Carignon, despite his previous conviction for corruption in French politics and a stint in prison in the '90s, is making a comeback in the 2026 French municipal elections, citing his love for Grenoble and his desire to lead the city through various crises. This marks a five-year gap since his last political attempt, following his unsuccessful bid in the 2007 French general-news elections."
"Amidst the changing landscape of Grenoble's politics, with the current mayor, Eric Piolle, announcing his non-participation in the 2026 elections, crime-and-justice issues related to Carignon's past scandals may resurface as key points of debate during the upcoming election campaign."
