{{Short description|French politician (born 1973)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Bally Bagayoko | image = Bally Bagayoko en 2026 (cropped).png | office = Mayor of Saint-Denis | term_start = 21 March 2026 | predecessor = Mathieu Hanotin | party = La France Insoumise | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|7|31}} | birth_place = Levallois-Perret, Hauts-de-Seine, France | children = 4 | alma_mater = Paris 8 University | profession = Manager (''cadre''), RATP }}
'''Bally Bagayoko''' (born 31 July 1973) is a French politician and member of La France Insoumise (LFI). He was elected mayor of Saint-Denis in the 2026 French municipal elections, winning in the first round with 50.77% of the vote.<ref name="franceinfo">{{cite web |url=https://www.franceinfo.fr/elections/le-candidat-de-la-france-insoumise-bally-bagayoko-remporte-saint-denis-des-le-1er-tour-des-municipales-2026_7871780.html |title=Le candidat de La France insoumise Bally Bagayoko remporte Saint-Denis dès le 1er tour des municipales 2026 |work=Franceinfo |date=16 March 2026 |access-date=16 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> Saint-Denis, which merged with Pierrefitte-sur-Seine in early 2025, is the most populous commune in Île-de-France after Paris, with approximately 150,000 inhabitants, making it the largest city in France governed by La France Insoumise and the first city of over 100,000 inhabitants won by the party.<ref name="france3">{{cite web |url=https://france3-regions.franceinfo.fr/paris-ile-de-france/seine-saint-denis/saint-denis/l-enfant-de-saint-denis-le-candidat-insoumis-bally-bagayoko-cree-la-surprise-et-l-emporte-au-premier-tour-des-elections-municipales-3316689.html |title="L'enfant de Saint-Denis", le candidat insoumis Bally Bagayoko crée la surprise et l'emporte au premier tour des élections municipales |first=Matthias |last=Colboc |work=France 3 Île-de-France |date=16 March 2026 |access-date=16 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref><ref name="franceinforeportage">{{cite web |url=https://www.franceinfo.fr/elections/reportage-il-a-beaucoup-d-humilite-et-il-nous-ressemble-a-saint-denis-l-insoumis-bally-bagayoko-a-ete-elu-haut-la-main-des-le-1er-tour-des-municipales_7872881.html |title="Il a beaucoup d'humilité et il nous ressemble" : à Saint-Denis, l'insoumis Bally Bagayoko a été élu haut la main dès le 1er tour des municipales |work=Franceinfo |date=17 March 2026 |access-date=17 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref>
== Early life and education ==
Bagayoko was born on 31 July 1973 in Levallois-Perret, Hauts-de-Seine.<ref name="apropos">{{cite web |url=https://www.ballybagayoko.com/a-propos-de-bally-bagayoko-2/ |title=À propos de Bally Bagayoko |work=ballybagayoko.com |access-date=17 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> His parents were of Malian origin, from the village of Gouni in the Koulikoro Region, on the right bank of the Niger River.<ref name="malikonews">{{cite web |url=https://malikonews.com/koulikoro-a-lhonneur-bally-bagayoko-elu-maire-de-saint-denis/ |title=Koulikoro à l'honneur : Bally Bagayoko élu maire de Saint-Denis |work=Maliko News |date=17 March 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> He grew up in the working-class neighbourhoods and social housing of northern Saint-Denis, in a large family he has described as "numerous and happy".<ref name="france24">{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/fr/info-en-continu/20260316-a-saint-denis-bally-bagayoko-l-insoumis-qui-a-ravi-la-cit%C3%A9-des-rois-aux-socialistes |title=A Saint-Denis, Bally Bagayoko, l'Insoumis qui a ravi la cité des rois aux socialistes |work=France 24 |date=16 March 2026 |access-date=17 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref><ref name="aps">{{cite web |url=https://aps.sn/municipales-en-france-bally-bagayoko-elu-maire-de-saint-denis-des-le-premier-tour-medias/ |title=Municipales en France : Bally Bagayoko élu maire de Saint-Denis dès le premier tour (médias) |work=Agence de Presse Sénégalaise |date=16 March 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> He has described his childhood as "shaped by public services and mutual aid".<ref name="actustars">{{cite web |url=https://www.actustars.fr/actualite/politique/bally-bagayoko-origine-malienne-femme-religion-maire-saint-denis/ |title=Bally Bagayoko : origines maliennes, femme et religion du nouveau maire de Saint-Denis |work=ActuStars |date=19 March 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> At the age of 15, he began working as a market vendor at the Saint-Denis town-centre market, a place he has described as "the economic hub of the city" and a foundational reference point in his identity.<ref name="ipj">{{cite web |url=https://www.ballybagayoko.com/portrait-cest-un-leader-ne-bally-bagayoko-veut-prendre-sa-revanche-sur-2020-et-battre-mathieu-hanotin-aux-municipales/ |title=PORTRAIT – "C'est un leader né" : Bally Bagayoko veut prendre sa revanche sur 2020 et battre Mathieu Hanotin aux municipales |first=Abigael |last=Urbes |work=Objectif Maire (IPJ) |date=18 December 2025 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref><ref name="jgp">{{cite web |url=https://www.lejournaldugrandparis.fr/en-campagne-avec-bally-bagayoko/ |title=En campagne avec… Bally Bagayoko |work=Le Journal du Grand Paris |date=13 February 2020 |access-date=16 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref>
Bagayoko holds a ''maîtrise'' (master's degree) in ''Sciences et Techniques de la connaissance des banlieues'' (Science and Techniques of the Knowledge of Suburbs) and a DESS in geopolitics, both from Paris 8 University.<ref name="apropos"/> He began his political engagement through SOS Racisme and the UNEF-ID student union.<ref name="courrier">{{cite web |url=https://www.lecourrierdesstrateges.fr/qui-est-bally-bagayoko-candidat-lfi-elu-au-premier-tour-a-saint-denis-par-elise-rochefort/ |title=Qui est Bally Bagayoko, candidat LFI élu au premier tour à Saint-Denis |first=Elise |last=Rochefort |work=Le Courrier des Stratèges |date=16 March 2026 |access-date=16 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> He was also involved in associative activities related to UNESCO.<ref name="nlto">{{cite web |url=https://www.nlto.fr/bally-bagayoko-le-maire-lfi-de-saint-denis-a-lepreuve-du-pouvoir/ |title=Bally Bagayoko, le maire LFI de Saint Denis à l'épreuve du pouvoir |work=NLTO |date=19 March 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref>
== Basketball career ==
Bagayoko is a passionate basketball player who played at departmental, then regional, and finally semi-professional level.<ref name="apropos"/> He obtained the French state coaching diploma (''diplôme d'État d'entraîneur de basket-ball'') and became head coach of the Saint-Denis Union Sport basketball club, which he led from the departmental level to Nationale 3 in fewer than five years.<ref name="actustars"/> It was through his involvement with the club that he was noticed by Patrick Braouezec, then Communist mayor of Saint-Denis, who described him as "a very involved young man" in the city's sporting life.<ref name="france24"/><ref name="malikonews"/> In his final campaign clip for the 2026 election, Bagayoko filmed himself scoring a spectacular basket with his back to the backboard.<ref name="actustars"/><ref name="yahoo20min">{{cite web |url=https://fr.news.yahoo.com/r%C3%A9sultats-municipales-%C3%A0-saint-denis-165710108.html |title=Résultats municipales à Saint-Denis : Père de quatre enfants, basketteur… Qui est Bally Bagayoko, le nouveau maire LFI ? |work=20 Minutes / Yahoo Actualités |date=16 March 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref>
== Professional career ==
Bagayoko works as a manager (''cadre'') at the RATP, the public transport operator for the Paris region.<ref name="apropos"/><ref name="franceinforeportage"/>
== Political career ==
=== Early political engagement and municipal mandates (2001–2008) ===
Bagayoko entered politics in 2001 when he was approached by Patrick Braouezec, then Communist mayor of Saint-Denis, to join the municipal team.<ref name="apropos"/><ref name="franceinforeportage"/> He was elected and initially served as deputy mayor (''adjoint au maire'') in charge of communication and the development of information technologies. He subsequently held delegations for sports, youth, major events, employment, training and social integration.<ref name="jgp"/><ref name="franceinforeportage"/> Although never a member of the French Communist Party (PCF), he served as an ''apparenté'' (affiliated) representative for nearly a decade.<ref name="actustars"/>
=== General and departmental council (2008–2015) ===
In March 2008, Bagayoko was elected to the Seine-Saint-Denis general council (''conseil général'') for the canton of Saint-Denis-Nord-Est, with PCF support.<ref name="jgp"/><ref name="courrier"/> He was subsequently appointed vice-president of the departmental council, responsible for urban services and new technologies.<ref name="courrier"/><ref name="aps"/> He was re-elected in the 2011 cantonal elections, after which his delegation shifted to childhood and family affairs and digital development (''aménagement numérique''). He sat in the Front de Gauche group on the council, alongside other vice-presidents such as Azzedine Taïbi and Josiane Bernard. In the 2015 French departmental elections, under the new binomial system, Bagayoko ran in a pair with Florence Haye (Front de Gauche) in the canton of Saint-Denis-1. They finished second in the first round with 31.02% of the vote, behind the PS-EELV pair of Nadège Grosbois and Mathieu Hanotin who received 32.69%.<ref name="saintdenismaville">{{cite web |url=https://www.saintdenismaville.com/resultats-du-premier-tour-des-departementales/ |title=Résultats du Premier tour des Départementales |work=Saint Denis Ma Ville |date=March 2015 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> The pair lost in the second round, ending Bagayoko's departmental mandate.
=== Transition to La France Insoumise (2012–2017) ===
In 2012, Bagayoko joined Jean-Luc Mélenchon's Front de Gauche, marking what he described as an ideological shift.<ref name="actustars"/><ref name="apropos"/> He subsequently became the local action group organiser (''animateur du groupe d'action'') of La France Insoumise in Saint-Denis when the movement was founded in 2016.<ref name="apropos"/> According to LFI deputy Éric Coquerel, Bagayoko was "one of the first associates of the Communists to join us in 2017".<ref name="franceinforeportage"/> Within LFI, he served as head of the party in Saint-Denis, co-delegate for the Sport policy booklet, and co-delegate for inter-party relations in Seine-Saint-Denis.<ref name="lfidixans">{{cite web |url=https://www.ballybagayoko.com/lfi-dix-ans-dinsoumission-une-rupture-necessaire-un-engagement-durable/ |title=LFI — Dix ans d'insoumission : une rupture nécessaire, un engagement durable ! |work=ballybagayoko.com |date=10 February 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref>
=== Income from multiple mandates ===
In October 2018, Philippe Caro, a Saint-Denis municipal councillor, drew attention to Bagayoko's declaration to the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life (HATVP), which showed total annual income of €112,769 at the start of the 2014–2020 term. This included his salary as an RATP manager (€51,447), his allowance as vice-president of the Seine-Saint-Denis departmental council (€45,500) and his deputy mayor's allowance in Saint-Denis (€15,822), with over 54% of the total coming from elected mandates. Caro also criticised Bagayoko for voting in June 2015 in favour of an increase in municipal councillors' allowances, which nearly doubled his own.<ref name="caro">{{cite web |url=https://philippecaro.over-blog.com/2018/10/le-coeur-a-gauche-et-le-portefeuille-a-droite.html |title=Le cœur à gauche et le portefeuille à droite |first=Philippe |last=Caro |date=18 October 2018 |access-date=17 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref>
=== 2020 municipal election ===
For the 2020 French municipal elections in Saint-Denis, Bagayoko ran as head of the LFI list "Faire Saint-Denis en commun".<ref name="jgp"/> He placed third with approximately 18% of the vote in the first round and withdrew before the second round in accordance with his party's agreement.<ref name="franceinforeportage"/><ref name="actustars"/> Mathieu Hanotin of the Socialist Party won the election, ending 75 years of Communist governance in the city.<ref name="francebleu">{{cite web |url=https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/politique/municipales-bally-bagayoko-le-candidat-lfi-elu-des-le-premier-tour-a-saint-denis-5527483 |title=Municipales : Bally Bagayoko, le candidat LFI, élu dès le premier tour à Saint-Denis |work=France Bleu |date=16 March 2026 |access-date=16 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> The 2020 election was marked by historically low turnout due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with participation at just 32.52% in Saint-Denis; Hanotin won with only 8,604 votes.<ref name="franceinforeportage"/> Despite the defeat, Bagayoko remained active in the city's neighbourhoods, associations and sports halls throughout the 2020–2026 term.<ref name="actustars" />
=== 2026 municipal election ===
==== Alliance and candidacy ====
On 3 December 2025, La France Insoumise, the PCF and the local collective Seine-Saint-Denis au Cœur announced they would form a united list for the 2026 municipal elections, headed by Bagayoko and called "Ensemble, retrouvons l'espoir!" (Together, let's rediscover hope!).<ref name="courrier"/><ref name="blog">{{cite web |url=https://www.blogsaintdenis.fr/actualites/article/municipales-2026-au-meeting-de-la-france-insoumise-l-appel-de-bally-bagayoko-aux-forces-politiques-dionysiennes-et |title=Municipales 2026. Au meeting de la France Insoumise, l'appel de Bally Bagayoko aux forces politiques dionysiennes et pierrefittoises |work=Le Blog de Saint-Denis |date=24 October 2025 |access-date=16 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> The list was also supported by Les Radicaux de Gauche, PEPS (Pour une Écologie Populaire et Sociale) and Les Verts Populaires, as well as deputies Éric Coquerel and Stéphane Peu.<ref name="courrier"/><ref name="stopmenaces">{{cite web |url=https://www.ballybagayoko.com/stop-aux-menaces-et-a-la-desinformation/ |title=Stop aux menaces et à la désinformation |work=ballybagayoko.com |date=March 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> A final rally was held on 10 March 2026 in the presence of Coquerel, Peu, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon.<ref name="stopmenaces"/> Bagayoko described the alliance as a matter of "coherence", stating he could have run alone but preferred to "avoid divisions".<ref name="franceinforeportage" /> The programme, containing 250 measures, was developed through public meetings, door-to-door canvassing and apartment gatherings, as well as consultations with associations, trade unions and citizen collectives.<ref name="programme">{{cite web |url=https://www.ballybagayoko.com/programme/ |title=Programme – Ensemble, retrouvons l'espoir |work=ballybagayoko.com |date=February 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref>
==== Campaign platform ====
Key proposals in the programme included a "purchasing power package" (''bouquet pouvoir d'achat'') featuring the control of rents and charges within Plaine Commune Habitat, the offer of a bicycle to every pupil completing ''collège'' (lower secondary school), a back-to-school kit for primary school children including free school supplies, a library card and an annual Imagine R transport pass, as well as the goal of 50–60% public housing in new construction.<ref name="programme"/><ref name="20minutes">{{cite web |url=https://www.dmjarchives.org/municipales-2026-qui-est-bally-bagayoko-le-nouveau-maire-lfi-de-saint-denis/ |title=Municipales 2026: qui est Bally Bagayoko, le nouveau maire LFI de Saint-Denis? |work=20 Minutes (via DMJ Archives) |date=16 March 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref>
On security, Bagayoko proposed refocusing the municipal police on community policing (''police de proximité'') rather than intervention operations, while maintaining staffing levels. He stated he was "not opposed" to some officers being armed, but rejected the blanket arming of the entire force, arguing that combating drug trafficking was primarily the responsibility of the national police.<ref name="20minutes"/> The merger of Saint-Denis and Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, which took effect on 1 January 2025 under Hanotin's administration, was a central campaign issue. Bagayoko pledged to consult residents on a possible reversal, promising to "give back their sovereignty to the inhabitants".<ref name="francebleu" /><ref name="courrier" />
==== Contested campaign ====
The campaign was marked by significant tensions between the two main candidates. Hanotin's camp accused Bagayoko of having links with drug traffickers, claiming that municipal police officers had overheard dealers saying they would vote for the LFI candidate because of his plans to change the municipal police's mandate. Bagayoko denied the allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite web |url=https://fr.news.yahoo.com/municipales-2026-bally-bagayoko-nouveau-144528081.html |title=Municipales 2026: qui est Bally Bagayoko, le nouveau maire LFI de Saint-Denis? |work=Yahoo News France |date=16 March 2026 |access-date=17 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref><ref name="franceinforeportage"/> His list denounced the accusations as "class contempt and above all racism".<ref name="franceinforeportage"/> Bagayoko's campaign also criticised Hanotin's record, accusing the outgoing mayor of pursuing a policy of gentrification, calling him an "estate agent" (''agent immobilier'') who had left behind "a city sold off and disfigured".<ref name="france24" /> Jean-Luc Mélenchon described Hanotin at a campaign rally as a ''petit bourgeois visqueux'' ("slimy petty bourgeois").<ref name="france24" />
On election day, both sides accused each other of irregularities. Bagayoko's list alleged that Hanotin used municipal resources, including video surveillance and the municipal police, to interfere with the vote. Hanotin's side accused the opposing camp of systematically tearing down campaign posters, issuing death threats against candidates, and organising gatherings in neighbourhoods to drive voters to the polls, which they reported to bailiffs (''huissiers'').<ref name="franceinfo"/><ref name="bondyblog">{{cite web |url=https://www.bondyblog.fr/politique/a-saint-denis-le-triomphe-de-bagayoko-le-camouflet-pour-hanotin/ |title=À Saint-Denis, le triomphe de Bagayoko, le camouflet pour Hanotin |work=Bondy Blog |date=16 March 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> Bagayoko's team denied organising these mobilisations and argued that the deployment of bailiffs served only to intimidate young voters in working-class neighbourhoods.<ref name="bondyblog"/>
==== Results ====
Bagayoko won the election on 15 March 2026 in the first round with 50.77% of the vote (13,506 votes), defeating the incumbent mayor Mathieu Hanotin, who received 32.70% (8,698 votes).<ref name="franceinfo"/><ref name="resultats">{{cite web |url=https://www.franceinfo.fr/elections/resultats/seine-saint-denis_93/saint-denis_93200 |title=Résultats des élections municipales 2026 : Saint-Denis (93200) |work=Franceinfo / Ministère de l'Intérieur |date=16 March 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> The other lists obtained: Révolution Permanente (Elsa Marcel), 7.12% (1,894 votes); Horizons/right-centre (Pascal Kouppé de Kermatin), 3.54% (942 votes); Lutte Ouvrière (Agnès Renaud), 1.50% (400 votes); and a smaller far-left list (Jérémie Daire), 0.91% (241 votes).<ref name="resultats"/>
Under the special regime for ''communes nouvelles'' (new municipalities), the council comprised 59 seats rather than the standard 55 for a city of this population range. Bagayoko's list won 47 of those seats due to the majority bonus for first-round victories. Turnout stood at 42.84%, corresponding to 57.16% abstention, significantly higher than the national average of 56% but an improvement over 2020 (32.52% participation). Bagayoko received 13,506 votes out of approximately 64,000 registered voters; by comparison, Hanotin had won in 2020 with only 8,604 votes, and his predecessor Didier Paillard had won in 2014 with 9,209.<ref name="franceinforeportage" />
==== Election night ====
At the hôtel de ville, results were announced bureau by bureau to a packed ''salle des mariages'' transformed into an election-night headquarters. As it became clear that Bagayoko would clear the 50% threshold, the crowd chanted slogans including "Ici c'est Bally!" and "Hanotin casse-toi, Saint-Denis n'est pas à toi".<ref name="bondyblog"/><ref name="france3"/> When Hanotin took the microphone to announce the results, he was met with sustained booing and required several minutes to make his way through the crowd; Bagayoko had to call for calm repeatedly.<ref name="courrierdatlas">{{cite web |url=https://www.lecourrierdelatlas.com/saint-denis-bagayoko-renverse-hanotin-des-premier-tour/ |title=Saint-Denis : Bagayoko renverse Hanotin dès le premier tour |work=Le Courrier de l'Atlas |date=16 March 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> Celebrations continued until approximately 2:30 a.m.<ref name="franceinforeportage"/> Bagayoko celebrated the result as "a KO punch" and declared that the outcome represented "the defeat of six years of a security-driven mandate serving the gentrification of the city".<ref name="france3" /><ref name="franceinforeportage" /> In a communiqué published the following day, Hanotin acknowledged "the clarity of the results" and congratulated Bagayoko, while defending his record on public safety and the fight against substandard housing.<ref name="franceinforeportage" />
=== Inauguration and installation council (21 March 2026) ===
Bagayoko was officially installed as mayor of Saint-Denis on 21 March 2026, following a council meeting at the hôtel de ville that was described as turbulent.<ref name="lemonde21mars">{{cite news |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/... |title=A Saint-Denis, où l'« insoumis » Bally Bagayoko a été élu dès le premier tour, un conseil municipal d'installation houleux |work=Le Monde |date=21 March 2026 |access-date=25 March 2026 |language=fr |agency=AFP}}</ref><ref name="actu21mars">{{cite web |url=https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/saint-denis_93066/saint-denis-l-insoumis-bally-bagayoko-officiellement-elu-maire-de-la-deuxieme-ville-d-ile-de-france_64026398.html |title=Saint-Denis : l'Insoumis Bally Bagayoko officiellement élu maire de la deuxième ville d'Île-de-France |first=Antoine |last=Grotteria |work=actu.fr |date=21 March 2026 |access-date=25 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> During the session, outgoing mayor Mathieu Hanotin delivered a speech punctuated by boos and whistles from Bagayoko's supporters, in which he acknowledged having "undoubtedly underestimated the need for direct proximity between the inhabitants and their mayor".<ref name="lemonde21mars"/> Cécile Gintrac was appointed first deputy mayor (''première adjointe'') and Farid Aïd was designated as ''maire délégué'' (delegated mayor) of Pierrefitte-sur-Seine.<ref name="actu21mars"/><ref name="blogsaintdenis21mars">{{cite web |url=https://www.blogsaintdenis.fr/actualites/article/houleux-non-joyeux-une-marseillaise-a-l-unisson-debout-le-poing-leve |title=Houleux ? Non ! Joyeux. Une Marseillaise à l'unisson, debout, le poing levé ! |work=Le Blog de Saint-Denis |date=21 March 2026 |access-date=25 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref>
In his first address, Bagayoko declared that the campaign phase was over and that his priority was to respond to residents' concerns, identifying housing and youth as his key areas of focus.<ref name="actu21mars"/> After the council meeting, he addressed a crowd of two to three hundred people gathered on the parvis of the hôtel de ville, where the proceedings had been broadcast on a large screen.<ref name="actu21mars"/> The session was attended by several LFI parliamentarians, including deputy Éric Coquerel, as well as former Communist mayors Didier Paillard and Laurent Russier.<ref name="citoyens23mars">{{cite web |url=https://citoyens.com/2026/saint-denis-bally-bagayoko-lfi-annonce-audit-et-referendum-sur-la-de-fusion-avec-pierrefitte,23-03-2026.html |title=Saint-Denis : Bally Bagayoko (LFI) annonce audit et référendum sur la dé-fusion avec Pierrefitte |first=Charles |last=Henry |work=Citoyens.com |date=23 March 2026 |access-date=25 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref>
Bagayoko announced that his administration would conduct an audit of the merger between Saint-Denis and Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, followed by a referendum on a possible ''dé-fusion'' (reversal of the merger).<ref name="citoyens23mars"/> Regarding the promised changes to the municipal police, he offered an olive branch to the opposition, stating he would extend cooperation to Hanotin's group if they were willing, but warned he would not tolerate attempts to disrupt municipal governance.<ref name="cnews24mars">{{cite web |url=https://www.cnews.fr/france/2026-03-24/saint-denis-le-nouveau-maire-lfi-annonce-le-top-depart-dune-nouvelle-dynamique |title=Saint-Denis : le nouveau maire LFI annonce le « top départ d'une nouvelle dynamique qui doit rayonner » sur la France |first=Nicolas |last=Guivarch |work=CNews |date=24 March 2026 |access-date=25 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref>
=== Political positions ===
Bagayoko has emphasised the working-class and multicultural character of Saint-Denis, noting that approximately 150 nationalities are represented in the city.<ref name="bondyblog"/> In his first interview as mayor on LCI, he quoted the Communist poet Jean Marcenac (or alternatively attributed to Paul Éluard or Fernand Grenier), describing Saint-Denis as "the city of dead kings and the living people" (''la ville des rois morts et du peuple vivant'').<ref name="franceinfovraifoaux">{{cite web |url=https://www.franceinfo.fr/replay-radio/le-vrai-du-faux/ville-des-noirs-bras-d-honneur-dealers-le-nouveau-maire-lfi-de-saint-denis-cible-par-une-vague-de-desinformation-d-extreme-droite_7847555.html |title="Ville des Noirs", bras d'honneur, dealers : le nouveau maire LFI de Saint-Denis ciblé par une vague de désinformation d'extrême droite |work=Franceinfo – Le Vrai du Faux |date=19 March 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> He has described his political line as combining social justice with ecological transition, with ambitions to use environmental policy as a concrete lever for improving living conditions in a dense and unequal city, through greening initiatives, the fight against urban heat islands, and the renovation of public spaces.<ref name="nlto" />
==== "New France" and national ambitions ====
In a series of interviews following his installation, Bagayoko positioned Saint-Denis as a potential political laboratory for La France Insoumise. On France 2's ''4 Vérités'' programme on 24 March 2026, he described his election as representing a "new France" composed of people who had grown up in working-class neighbourhoods and who had decided to take on political responsibility.<ref name="franceinfo4v">{{cite web |url=https://www.franceinfo.fr/elections/je-souhaite-que-saint-denis-et-pierrefitte-soient-le-point-de-depart-d-une-nouvelle-dynamique-appelee-a-rayonner-sur-l-ensemble-de-la-france-affirme-bally-bagayoko-maire-lfi-de-saint-denis-pierrefitte_7890620.html |title=VIDEO. A Saint-Denis-Pierrefitte, le désarmement promis de la police municipale sera "progressif" et commencera par les LBD, selon le nouveau maire LFI Bally Bagayoko |work=Franceinfo |date=24 March 2026 |access-date=25 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> He expressed his ambition that Saint-Denis serve as a model for a future LFI presidential campaign, drawing parallels with Roubaix, another working-class city recently won by LFI under David Guiraud.<ref name="franceinfo4v"/>
On the question of police disarmament, Bagayoko clarified that the process would be gradual, beginning with the removal of LBD launchers (''lanceurs de balle de défense''), which he described as having "dramatic consequences".<ref name="cnews24mars"/><ref name="franceinfo4v"/> He argued that the outgoing mayor's investment of nearly €20 million in a security-focused approach had not prevented his electoral defeat, demonstrating that voters also expected responses to what he termed a "social emergency".<ref name="franceinfo4v"/>
== Post-election media controversy ==
In the days following his election, Bagayoko was the subject of a disinformation campaign originating from far-right figures on social media. During his election-night interview with Darius Rochebin on LCI, Bagayoko quoted the Marcenac formula about Saint-Denis being "the city of kings and the living people". Due to background noise during the live broadcast, a truncated and poorly audible clip was shared online by far-right commentators who alleged he had said "the city of Blacks" (''la ville des Noirs'') rather than "of kings" (''des rois'').<ref name="franceinfovraifoaux"/> The false claim was amplified by figures including Jean Messiha (whose post garnered over 700,000 views) and Gilbert Collard.<ref name="franceinfovraifoaux"/>
The fabricated quote was subsequently repeated on air by journalist Apolline de Malherbe during an interview on RMC on 17 March 2026. Bagayoko corrected her on the spot. De Malherbe later apologised publicly on X, stating that she had "misheard his words in the noise of the live link-up".<ref name="franceinfovraifoaux"/> The incident was also discussed on France 5's ''C ce soir'', whose host Karim Rissouli subsequently apologised for not having corrected a guest who repeated the false quote, describing the episode as reflecting "a kind of racist ''impensé''" in media coverage.<ref name="franceinfovraifoaux"/>
The controversy prompted reactions across the political spectrum. LFI deputy Clémence Guetté described the BFMTV interview as "nauseating, disgusting with contempt and racism". LFI national coordinator Manuel Bompard praised Bagayoko's "dignity" and denounced "the media pack relaying the worst racist slanders". Socialist senator Marie-Pierre de La Gontrie called the interview "unbearable in its contempt and latent racism", and former minister Ségolène Royal also denounced the questions as racist.<ref name="yahoolobs">{{cite web |url=https://fr.news.yahoo.com/traitement-m%C3%A9diatique-r%C3%A9serv%C3%A9-%C3%A0-nouveau-120718676.html |title=Le traitement médiatique réservé à Bally Bagayoko, nouveau maire de La France insoumise, indigne largement |work=L'Obs / Yahoo Actualités |date=18 March 2026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref>
The false quote was also repeated on Franceinfo on 17 March by journalist Jean-Sébastien Ferjou, founder of ''Atlantico'', who was corrected on air by other panellists; he subsequently acknowledged his "error".<ref name="sosracismetribune">{{cite web |url=https://sos-racisme.org/actualites/tribune-saint-denis-ville-des-noirs-ce-que-revele-la-polemique-orchestree-sur-une-phrase-faussement-attribuee-a-bally-bagayoko/ |title=Tribune – Saint-Denis, « ville des Noirs » ? Ce que révèle la polémique orchestrée sur une phrase faussement attribuée à Bally Bagayoko |first=Dominique |last=Sopo |work=SOS Racisme |date=25 March 2026 |access-date=25 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> On France 5's ''C ce soir'' on 16 March, ''Le Figaro'' journalist Alexandre Devecchio had also stated that the newly elected mayor had said Saint-Denis was "the city of Blacks", a claim contested on set.<ref name="sosracismetribune"/> SOS Racisme subsequently filed a complaint (''saisine'') with the ARCOM (Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique), requesting an examination of the conditions under which the false information was broadcast on France 5, RMC, BFMTV and Franceinfo, and calling for a reminder to broadcasters of their obligations regarding accuracy.<ref name="sosracismearcom">{{cite web |url=https://sos-racisme.org/actualites/ville-des-noirs-sos-racisme-saisit-larcom-suite-a-la-reprise-par-des-medias-dune-polemique-raciste-visant-bally-bagayoko-nouveau-maire-de-saint-denis/ |title="Ville des noirs" : SOS Racisme saisit l'Arcom suite à la reprise par des médias d'une polémique raciste visant Bally Bagayoko, nouveau maire de Saint-Denis |work=SOS Racisme |access-date=25 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref><ref name="aa">{{cite web |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/fr/monde/france-ville-des-noirs-sos-racisme-saisit-l-arcom-pour-des-propos-faussement-attribu%C3%A9s-%C3%A0-bally-bagayoko/3872246 |title=France : « Ville des noirs » – SOS Racisme saisit l'ARCOM pour des propos faussement attribués à Bally Bagayoko |work=Anadolu Agency |access-date=25 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref> The Ligue des droits de l'Homme (LDH) filed a separate ARCOM complaint, describing the episode as evidence of the normalisation of "ordinary racism".<ref name="ldh">{{cite web |url=https://www.ldh-france.org/de-la-ville-des-rois-a-la-ville-des-noirs-itineraire-raciste-dune-fausse-information/ |title=De la ville des rois à la ville des noirs, itinéraire raciste d'une fausse information |work=Ligue des droits de l'Homme |access-date=25 March 2026 |language=fr}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
Bagayoko is married and has four children.<ref name="apropos"/> He has kept his family life private; the name of his wife has never been made public. In interviews, he has stated with humour that his wife "has always known him as a militant".<ref name="actustars"/>
== Electoral history ==
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Election !! Constituency !! Position !! Party/list !! Round !! % !! Outcome |- | 2008 cantonal || Canton of Saint-Denis-Nord-Est || Candidate || App. PCF || 1st round || — || {{won}} |- | 2011 cantonal || Canton of Saint-Denis-Nord-Est || Candidate || Front de Gauche || — || — || {{won}} |- | 2015 departmental || Canton of Saint-Denis-1 || With Florence Haye || Front de Gauche || 1st round || 31.02% || {{lost}} |- | 2020 municipal || Saint-Denis || Head of list || LFI || 1st round || ≈18% || {{lost}} (withdrew before 2nd round) |- | 2026 municipal || Saint-Denis || Head of list || LFI–PCF–SSDAC || 1st round || 50.77% || {{won}} |}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bagayoko, Bally}} Category:1973 births Category:Black French politicians Category:Living people Category:La France Insoumise politicians Category:Mayors of places in Île-de-France Category:French people of Malian descent Category:People from Levallois-Perret Category:People from Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis Category:French basketball coaches