Marseille Mayoral Race Rocked by Slogan Controversy
Marseille’s upcoming municipal elections have been thrown into turmoil after right-center candidate Martine Vassal publicly defended her use of the slogan “Work, Family, Homeland” – a phrase deeply associated with the collaborationist Vichy regime of Marshal Pétain – during a televised debate on .
The incident, which occurred during a live debate on BFMTV, has dominated French political discourse and prompted swift condemnation from rival candidates. Vassal, president of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis and of the Bouches-du-Rhône department, listed “merit, work, family, homeland” as her values, adding “humanity” as an afterthought.
Incumbent Mayor Benoît Payan immediately challenged Vassal, pointing out the slogan’s historical connection to the Vichy regime. “Work, family, fatherland—that’s the motto associated with Marshal Pétain, that is,” Payan reportedly said on set. Vassal, however, stood her ground, confirming that the slogan represented her values, a moment that quickly went viral on social media.
The slogan “Work, Family, Homeland” replaced France’s traditional motto of “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” during the Vichy regime, which collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II. Its use today is widely considered deeply offensive.
The controversy has shifted the focus of the campaign away from policy debates and towards historical memory just one month before the vote. According to reports, the incident has sparked a debate about the collision of local and national memory within the city of Marseille.
Other candidates in the race, including RN deputy Franck Allisio and LFI deputy Sébastien Delogu, have also weighed in. Delogu reportedly described himself as “outraged” by Vassal’s remarks.
Vassal has attempted to clarify her position, stating she is “Gaullist” and not “Pétainist,” according to Orange Actualités. However, the damage appears to be done, with some observers suggesting the campaign is on the verge of implosion. Mediapart reported that Vassal’s campaign is “on the brink of implosion” following the controversy.
The debate took place at the Palais de la Bourse, near the Old Port, and involved four candidates discussing potential runoff scenarios, particularly the possibility of a strong showing by the Rassemblement National. Vassal’s invocation of “values” was intended to establish a moral high ground, but instead ignited the controversy.
The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding historical references in French politics and the enduring legacy of the Vichy regime. The debate over the slogan underscores the challenges of navigating France’s complex past in the context of a contemporary political campaign.
