Lyon 2026 Elections: Aulas Leads as Satisfaction with City Hall Declines | Ipsos Poll Results

Municipal Elections 2026: Electoral Dynamics in Lyon

As Lyon approaches its municipal elections, a recent survey conducted by Ipsos bva-CESI Engineering School for the EBRA Group reveals a complex political landscape. The survey, carried out between January 13 and 29, 2026, with a representative sample of Lyon residents registered on the electoral lists, indicates widespread dissatisfaction with the current municipal team and positions Jean-Michel Aulas as the frontrunner in the upcoming vote.

Dissatisfaction with Current Municipal Leadership

According to the survey, 52% of Lyon residents expressed dissatisfaction with the work accomplished by the outgoing team since 2020, with a quarter of those respondents stating they were “very unhappy.” Conversely, 46% reported satisfaction, though only one in ten expressed “very satisfied” feelings.

Satisfaction levels vary significantly based on political affiliation. Supporters of the PS (Parti Socialiste) and LFI (La France Insoumise) showed higher satisfaction, with two-thirds of each group reporting satisfaction, although strong satisfaction (“very satisfied”) was limited to 10% among LFI supporters and 16% among PS supporters. EELV (Europe Écologie Les Verts) supporters demonstrated almost unanimous satisfaction, at 94%.

Conversely, dissatisfaction is pronounced among center-right voters. 43% of Renaissance/MoDem/Horizons supporters expressed satisfaction, while only 20% of LR (Les Républicains) and 7% of RN (Rassemblement National) supporters reported being satisfied.

Key Issues Driving Voter Sentiment

The survey identified specific areas of municipal performance. Public transport and environmental policies received the highest satisfaction ratings, with seven out of ten respondents expressing approval. However, traffic and parking conditions were identified as a significant concern, with only 25% of respondents satisfied, falling to just 2% among LR supporters. Security also emerged as a critical area of dissatisfaction, with only four out of ten Lyon residents satisfied, particularly among center (32%), LR (17%), and RN (7%) supporters.

Political divisions are stark. RN and LR supporters consistently expressed dissatisfaction across all evaluated areas. EELV supporters, conversely, demonstrated strong support, with satisfaction levels reaching 99% on environmental action. Socialist sympathizers generally showed positive sentiment, though traffic and parking remain a concern (37% satisfied). LFI supporters, while generally satisfied, expressed significant dissatisfaction with housing policies (32% satisfied), a sentiment shared by LR (38%) and RN (37%) supporters.

Perceptions of Quality of Life and Desire for Change

The survey also gauged residents’ overall perception of quality of life in Lyon. 42% of respondents believe the quality of life has deteriorated since 2020, while 28% believe it has improved, and three in ten feel it has remained unchanged.

A majority – 60% – oppose renewing the current municipal team, with only 37% expressing a desire for them to continue. Younger voters (under 35) are more open to renewal (47% in favor) compared to those over 60 (27% in favor). EELV supporters overwhelmingly favor renewal (89%), while LFI supporters are more divided (50% in favor). PS supporters also lean towards renewal (59%).

Opposition to renewal is strongest among Renaissance/MoDem/Horizons (74% opposed), RN (84% opposed), and LR (92% opposed) supporters.

Aulas Leads in Voting Intention and Image

With forty days remaining until the election, Jean-Michel Aulas, the candidate supported by Les Républicains, Renaissance, Horizons, MoDem, and UDI, leads in voting intention with 44%. Incumbent Mayor Grégory Doucet follows with 30%. Other candidates trail significantly and are not expected to qualify for a second round.

Aulas also enjoys greater name recognition (92% recognition) comparable to Doucet. Crucially, Aulas holds a more positive image: 46% of respondents have a good opinion of him (compared to 26% with a bad opinion), while only 33% have a good opinion of Doucet (compared to 45% with a bad opinion).

Aulas’s positive image extends even to center-right voters: 67% positive opinions among Renaissance supporters, 81% among LR supporters, and 69% among RN supporters. Doucet’s image is more polarized, with 45% positive opinions among LFI supporters, 59% among PS supporters, and 78% among EELV supporters.

The full report is available here.

The EBRA Group, leader of the French regional daily press and the only press group in France to be JTI (Journalism Trust Initiative) certified, has a circulation of over 800,000 copies daily and a digital audience of 15.7 million page views per day. The EBRA Group is the media division of Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale.