Lyon: A mayoral candidate in Lyon's second district in France urged the mayor to resign after he was detained in a probe for the embezzlement of public funds.

According to Anadolu Agency, Gregory Doucet, the current Mayor of Lyon, is under scrutiny following his recent detention as part of an investigation into alleged embezzlement. Pierre Oliver, a candidate in the upcoming March 2026 elections, has publicly demanded Doucet's resignation, expressing concerns over his dual role as both a defendant and the city's financial overseer.

Oliver emphasized the potential financial harm suffered by the city if the allegations prove true, highlighting the need for rectification. He stated that Doucet's involvement in the case, as suggested by his police custody, places him in a conflicting position regarding the recovery of potentially misappropriated funds.

He further asserted that taxpayers deserve to expect reimbursement in the event of embezzlement. Doucet was released on Wednesday following his detention, which was part of an ongoing investigation initiated by the Lyon Public Prosecutor's Office.

The investigation, which began in February 2024, is focused on alleged "embezzlement of public funds by persons vested with public authority." The case revolves around the suspected illegal hiring of 24 special advisors, who were purportedly acting as Cabinet staff, thereby exceeding the legal limit of 12 staffers. This situation potentially led to the misappropriation of public funds between 2016 and 2023.

The Regional Chamber of Accounts had previously raised concerns last September with a report questioning the legitimacy and role of the 24 staffers within the Lyon city administration.