From hypothesis to evidence Jean-Michel Aulas in Lyon

The suspense surrounding Jean-Michel Aulas's candidacy for the 2026 municipal elections is growing with each social media post from the former OL president. In early April, he assured: "A direction is emerging." "I have to believe it because it's going to happen," asserts a Lyon boss who has long doubted Jean-Michel Aulas's intentions. The uncertainty concerns the date of his official campaign launch. "End of May," asserts a centrist elected official who supports him. "Perhaps rather early June," believes a member of Génération Aulas, the youth collective that " spontaneously " supports his likely candidacy. "He's continuing his reflection and has given himself until September," asserts Roman Abreu, head of the 2017 communications agency, which handles Jean-Michel Aulas's press relations.

The obstacles in his path are being removed one after the other. Jean-Michel Aulas only considered running if no one challenged his leadership on the right and center. This preliminary operation has largely succeeded. Since his intentions are no longer a fantasy, he has been garnering support: Horizons, Renaissance, and a large part of the Lyon right. “He still wants to resolve the issue of the Republicans before launching himself. He would like Pierre Oliver to withdraw his candidacy,” reports a centrist. Support has so far reached Lyon quite spontaneously. “It's the politicians who are asking for meetings with Jean-Michel Aulas,” smiles one of his close associates. He has met almost all of them. And won them over. “He listens a lot. He came to understand the expectations of everyone and the important issues in the city,” reports a centrist who met him at the end of March.