Newly Elected Mayor of Saint-Denis Confronts Racist Backlash and Calls for Action
Bally Bagayoko was elected mayor of Saint-Denis last month, securing a decisive victory in the first round with 50.77% of the vote. However, his triumph has been marred by a wave of racist abuse, prompting police investigations and national outrage.
Racist Ideology Exploits Austerity Politics, Says Mayor
In an interview at Saint-Denis town hall, Bagayoko, 52, warned that racist views are becoming increasingly normalized in France. He attributed this trend to austerity policies that deepen divisions, allowing far-right ideologies to gain traction. "It has become a lot easier for racist views to be expressed," he stated, emphasizing the urgent need to combat race hatred ahead of next year's presidential election.
Bagayoko's election sparked a barrage of insults, including references to apes and tribal chiefs on CNews, a popular TV station. The Paris prosecutor's office is investigating these comments, along with online hate speech. Anti-racism groups have filed complaints with broadcast regulators, while CNews denies any racist intent.
Community Support and Anti-Racism Rally
Thousands are expected to attend a rally in support of Bagayoko this Saturday, organized to oppose racism and far-right rise. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned the abuse as a "normalisation of racism and evil" in France. Bagayoko received messages of support from local religious leaders, including rabbis, and stressed the demonstration aims to unite citizens against all forms of discrimination.
Since his election, town hall staff have fielded racist phone calls, and a collection of hate letters—including one sent to multiple Black officials across France—is being compiled for police. Bagayoko highlighted the danger of such tropes, noting false claims on social media misrepresented his words about Saint-Denis.
Background and Political Context
Born in France to Malian parents, Bagayoko grew up on a housing estate in Saint-Denis. As the first mayor from a family with African immigrant roots, he broke a "glass ceiling" in local politics. A senior manager at RATP, Paris's transport company, he was elected with a large majority for Jean-Luc Mélenchon's radical left party, La France Insoumise, supported by communists.
Saint-Denis, a diverse, deindustrialised town near Paris, hosted part of the 2024 Olympics but remains in Seine-Saint-Denis, one of France's poorest départements. It faces issues like discrimination, high unemployment, and gentrification debates post-Olympics. Bagayoko criticized successive governments under President Emmanuel Macron for failing to address economic inequality, which he says fuels racism and far-right support.
Policy Priorities and Future Challenges
Bagayoko plans to tackle inequality through investments in education and housing, noting that low-income areas outside Paris suffer from segregation and lack of state funding. He welcomes middle-class residents but stresses the need for balanced development to prevent displacement of low-income families.
Additionally, he is considering limits on weapons for municipal police and advocates preserving France's motto of liberty, equality, and fraternity. "I'm fortunate to have a platform," he said, "but how many people in France are victims of racist insults and are unfortunately kept silent? Far too many." As France faces political uncertainty with Macron's term ending in 2027 and the far-right National Rally polling high, Bagayoko's stance highlights broader societal tensions.
