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Nice Today
By the People, for the People
Leftist Mayor Calls for Police Disarmament in Multicultural Paris Suburb
Mayor Bally Bagayoko of Saint-Denis vows to begin 'disarmament process' for municipal police despite history of unrest in the area.
Mar. 27, 2026 at 8:54am
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Bally Bagayoko, the newly elected far-left mayor of the multicultural Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, has called for the disarmament of the municipal police force, specifically targeting the removal of less-lethal weapons like tasers. This move has sparked pushback from police unions and neighboring mayors, who have criticized the decision as irresponsible. Bagayoko, who was elected on a platform of socialist policies and representing the 'New France' of migrants, has faced allegations of ties to convicted criminals during his campaign.
Why it matters
The decision to disarm the municipal police in Saint-Denis, a suburb with a history of unrest and violent confrontations between police and the ethnically diverse population, raises concerns about public safety and the mayor's priorities. It also highlights the growing divide between the far-left and more moderate factions in French politics, as well as the challenges of governing diverse communities.
The details
Mayor Bally Bagayoko, who was elected on the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) ticket, has vowed to begin a 'disarmament process' for the municipal police force in Saint-Denis. He specifically targeted the removal of less-lethal defense weapons like tasers, though he said firearms would be allowed 'for the time being'. This decision has faced strong pushback from police unions, who have urged officers to seek transfers from LFI-controlled municipalities. The mayor's campaign was also allegedly marked by 'exceptionally violent' tactics, including the tearing down of opposition posters and the use of drug traffickers.
- Mayor Bagayoko was elected in the first round of France's municipal elections in March 2026.
- Bagayoko announced the plan to disarm the municipal police force in his first week as mayor.
The players
Bally Bagayoko
The newly elected far-left mayor of Saint-Denis, a multicultural Paris suburb, who campaigned on a socialist platform and represents the 'New France' of migrants and their descendants.
Mathieu Hanotin
The comparatively moderate Socialist Party candidate who was defeated by Bagayoko in the first round of the municipal elections.
Mouloud Bezzouh
A convicted criminal who was allegedly photographed in conversation with Mayor Bagayoko on the steps of town hall, despite the mayor's claims that he does not 'personally' know Bezzouh.
Oriane Filhol
A Socialist Party council member in Saint-Denis who resigned over the alleged links between the mayor and Bezzouh, stating that she 'did not feel safe on the city council'.
Eric Ciotti
The recently elected mayor of Nice, who mocked the chaos sparked by Bagayoko's announcement and offered to welcome Saint-Denis police officers threatened by the 'irresponsible disarmament decision'.
What they’re saying
“I recently met with all the municipal police officers to express my gratitude. We are going to begin a disarmament process.”
— Bally Bagayoko, Mayor of Saint-Denis
“The Nice municipal police need reinforcements. We will be proud to welcome the Saint-Denis officers threatened by the irresponsible disarmament decision made by the LFI-run town hall.”
— Eric Ciotti, Mayor of Nice
“I did not feel safe on the city council, knowing precisely the relationship between the new mayor and the man who ordered my attack.”
— Oriane Filhol, Socialist Party council member
What’s next
The judge in the case of the alleged attack on Oriane Filhol will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Mayor Bagayoko's ally, Mouloud Bezzouh, to be released on bail.
The takeaway
The decision by the newly elected far-left mayor of Saint-Denis to disarm the municipal police force, despite the suburb's history of unrest, highlights the growing divide in French politics and the challenges of governing diverse communities. It raises concerns about public safety and the mayor's priorities, as well as questions about his alleged ties to convicted criminals.
