Jean-Luc Mélenchon denounced what he termed a systemic racism driven by “the caste” on Saturday, August 15, 2026, launching a defense of two local La France Insoumise mayors facing separate controversies. According to statements published on X, the political leader argued that being Black and associated with his movement has become too much for media supremacists. The comments followed critical reports published this week in Le Canard enchaîné regarding La Courneuve Mayor Aly Diouara and Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko.
Defense of La Courneuve Mayor Aly Diouara Over Social Housing
Aly Diouara addressed questions regarding his continued occupancy of a social housing unit despite drawing approximately about 7,600 euros in gross monthly parliamentary indemnities since his 2024 election to the National Assembly. Speaking to Le Parisien on Friday, the mayor asserted that he is completely within the rules. “I am a child of social housing, meaning that I have grown up there since I was born,” he stated. He explained that eligibility limits for his apartment are calculated based on his 2024 income, during which he served as a deputy only from July onward. He confirmed he has taken steps to find alternative accommodation. His mayoral indemnities remain temporarily suspended due to an ongoing legal challenge against his election during the municipal vote in March.
Did You Know? Aly Diouara currently holds a dual mandate as both a member of the National Assembly and the mayor of La Courneuve, though his municipal compensation is suspended pending a legal challenge to the March municipal election results.
Allegations Against Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko
Bally Bagayoko faces a legal complaint from the association AC!! Anti-Corruption over suspicions of public funds misuse and a fictitious job. The scrutiny follows a report in Le Canard enchaîné detailing a simultaneous full-time career at the RATP alongside local elected duties. The RATP has formally denied any compliance-related or fake employment. In an interview published Thursday by Le Parisien, Bally Bagayoko rejected claims that he benefited from a technical favor for the position, which he held from the early 2000s in parallel with local mandates for a monthly salary of roughly about 6,000 euros.
Broader Political Context and Cited Precedents
Jean-Luc Mélenchon explicitly connected the current controversies to past scrutiny faced by other Black figures within La France Insoumise. “After the calumnies against Bally Bagayoko, denied by the RATP, here is a campaign by the same people against Aly Diouara, mayor of La Courneuve. A coincidence?” the presidential candidate asked on X. He added that similar opposition targeted Danièle Obono, Rachel Keke, and Carlos Martens Bilongo previously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the public defense by Jean-Luc Mélenchon?
The political leader intervened after reports in Le Canard enchaîné raised questions regarding the housing and employment of two local mayors from La France Insoumise.
What is the basis of the controversy surrounding Aly Diouara?
The mayor of La Courneuve faces scrutiny for continuing to occupy a social housing apartment despite earning a gross monthly parliamentary indemnity of approximately about 7,600 euros since his election in 2024.
How has Bally Bagayoko responded to the allegations against him?
The mayor of Saint-Denis denied receiving any technical favor for his position at the RATP, an employment held since the early 2000s that paid around about 6,000 euros a month in parallel with his local mandates.
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