Mohed Altrad, the renowned businessman and president of Montpellier Hérault Rugby (MHR), announced his candidacy for the Montpellier municipal elections at an impressive rally. The magnate intends to revitalize the city with a program boasting social and economic ambitions, while assuring everyone that he will not receive any compensation should he win. However, his candidacy is tainted by a pending court conviction, which could hinder his political plans.
A businessman serving Montpellier Mohed Altrad, a septuagenarian well-known to the people of Montpellier, is the perfect example of a success story. Originally from Syria, he amassed a colossal fortune by becoming a world leader in the scaffolding and construction equipment sector. His renown in Montpellier is also due to the fact that he propelled the city’s rugby club, MHR, to brilliant sporting successes. He intends to leverage this reservoir of goodwill to become mayor of Montpellier. A thunderous campaign launch On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Mohed Altrad made a triumphant entrance at the Espace Dièze to the cheers of over 300 people. The man, who had already tried his luck in the 2020 municipal elections, pledged to take on the challenge of leading Montpellier by proposing a program focused on the city’s development and the modernization of its infrastructure. To this end, he surrounded himself with influential figures, such as Patricia Mirallès, former Minister for Veterans Affairs.
An ambitious and varied program
Altrad aims to
create 30,000 jobs in the city, drawing inspiration from the growth he generated within his own company. Among his key proposals are also doubling the size of the municipal police force and implementing a curfew From 10 p.m. onwards for those under 16. He also pledges not to raise municipal taxes and to donate his mayoral allowance to local charities.
The Challenges of His Candidacy Despite his good intentions, Mohed Altrad faces significant challenges. Convicted in December 2022 and sentenced to 18 months’ suspended imprisonment for corruption charges, his political future remains uncertain as his appeal is scheduled for September 2026. If he is elected in March and the conviction is upheld, he will have to relinquish his mayoral position.Criticism and Rivalries