< Jean-Michel Aulas stepped down from his position leading the political opposition at the Lyon city hall on June 12, 2026, following a rape complaint filed against his former communications director, according to reporting by BFM Lyon, Le Progrès, and Rue89 Lyon. The scandal fractured a right-and-centre municipal alliance forged after the municipal elections earlier that year, where Aulas had been defeated by incumbent green mayor Grégory Doucet.
The Rape Complaint and Initial Disclosures
According to local media reports including BFM Lyon, Le Progrès, and Rue89 Lyon cited by Le Nouvel Obs, a former member of Jean-Michel Aulas’s campaign team filed a legal complaint on May 13, 2026. The young activist stated that she was assaulted through chemical submission during a party in Lyon in early January 2026.
The complainant reported the incident in February 2026 to Jean-Michel Aulas and members of his inner circle, a fact confirmed by Aulas to AFP. Aulas stated that the woman no longer wished to cross paths with the staff member but did not want to file a formal complaint at the time. Aulas recounted that he summoned his communications director, who claimed the relationship was consensual. Aulas removed the staffer from campaign headquarters but kept him in his role.
Represented by counsel, the former communications director firmly and serenely contested all accusations, stating he remains available to answer questions from judicial authorities, as reported by Le Nouvel Obs.
Political Fallout and Demand for Withdrawal
Following the public emergence of the legal proceedings, Véronique Sarselli, the Republican president of the Lyon Metropolis, requested that Jean-Michel Aulas and two other colistiers, Laure Cédat and Emmanuel Imberton, step back from their representative functions within the metropolis. Sarselli stated in a press release reported by Le Nouvel Obs that the request was made in respect of the alleged victim and the institution.
The majority political parties governing the metropolis—including Les Républicains, Horizons, UDI, Renaissance, and Les Centristes—voiced full support for Sarselli’s demand, calling for individual responsibility.
Aulas and Allies Reject Withdrawal Demand
Jean-Michel Aulas and Laure Cédat rejected the request, issuing a joint statement transmitted to AFP and cited by Actu.fr.
Aulas told Actu.fr that he excluded any resignation from his mandate as vice-president, characterizing the political pressure as unbelievable and describing the situation as political commedia dell’arte. Aulas and Cédat argued that they had taken precautions, remained in contact with the victim, and encouraged her to file a complaint when they were first informed of the facts. They rejected any interpretation turning their partial knowledge of the facts into complicity or a failure of responsibility.
Despite refusing to step down from the metropolis leadership voluntarily, Jean-Michel Aulas announced his withdrawal from his chief opposition role at the Lyon city hall on June 12, 2026, while Véronique Sarselli proceeded to strip him of his metropolitan delegations.
L'ex-directeur de campagne de Jean-Michel Aulas, Roman Abreu, est visé par une plainte pour viol
