"Jean-Michel Aulas and environmentalists in Lyon have officially declared conflict, with the former's supporters, known as "True Lyonnais," engaging in heated clashes that resemble Nazi street battles."
Jean-Michel Aulas, the president of Olympique Lyonnais and a prominent French businessman, has been vocal in his criticism of Gregory Doucet, the ecologist mayor of Lyon. Aulas' criticisms have focused on Doucet's eco-friendly policies, which he believes could negatively impact Lyon's economic vitality and the football club he manages.
The ecologist majority in Lyon has been pursuing an agenda centered on reducing car traffic, promoting cycling, pedestrian zones, and environmental sustainability measures. These policies have led to contentious debates, particularly affecting local businesses, traffic patterns, and traditional economic activities in the city.
Aulas' criticism has been described as harsh and dismissive, with some observers and political analysts noting that parts of his discourse echo certain populist or far-right narratives. The phrase "real Lyonnais," used by Aulas, has been seen as a distinction akin to the lexicon of the far right by the Ecologists.
Critics suggest that Aulas' rhetoric invokes a fear of loss, a common element in far-right discourse. His portrayal of Doucet and the green majority as extremists or ideologues out of touch with "real" citizens can mirror far-right populist strategies of dividing society. The strong defense of cars and economic business interests against environmental reforms is a theme often exploited by right-wing populists opposed to ecological modernization.
However, it is important to note that Aulas is not formally associated with far-right parties. The perception of his criticism as echoing far-right narratives reflects broader cultural and political divisions in France around environmental policy and urban change.
The current school year in the Rhône prefecture promises to be eventful, a few months before the municipal elections where Doucet has announced he will run again. Aulas has indicated his intention to lead a union list of the center and the right in 2026.
The green majority in Lyon is currently on a fact-finding tour, while Aulas continues to voice his concerns about the city's direction under Doucet's leadership. The debate between Aulas and Doucet highlights the ongoing tension between economic/business interests and environmental/urban transformation policies characteristic of green administrations.
- Jean-Michel Aulas, a vocal critic of Gregory Doucet, the ecologist mayor of Lyon, has expressed concerns that Doucet's eco-friendly policies could negatively impact Lyon's economic vitality and his football club, Olympique Lyonnais.
- The current school year in the Rhône prefecture, leading up to the municipal elections, is expected to be eventful as Aulas has announced his intention to lead a union list of the center and the right in 2026.
- The debate between Aulas and Doucet is emblematic of the ongoing tension between economic/business interests and environmental/urban transformation policies, a characteristic of green administrations.
- Aulas' criticism of Doucet, described as harsh and dismissive, has been compared to certain populist or far-right narratives, with his use of the phrase "real Lyonnais" seen as a distinction similar to the lexicon of the far right.
- The ecologist mayor of Lyon, along with his majority, is currently on a fact-finding tour, while sports events such as the Champions League and other European leagues continue to engage the interest of football fans across war-and-conflicts affected regions, policy-and-legislation debates, general news, and crime-and-justice reports.
