Billionaire Mohed Altrad, head of the construction group bearing his name and president of Montpellier Hérault Rugby, has officially announced his candidacy for mayor of Montpellier. Six years after finishing third in his first attempt, he has announced ambitious measures, such as the creation of 30,000 jobs, free school cafeterias, and the cancellation of a controversial waste treatment project. His return is not without controversy, with a recent legal history that could influence his electoral campaign. Discover the stakes of this election and the following alternatives: Municipal Elections 2026: The candidates running in Montpellier An ambitious comeback for Montpellier Mohed Altrad, an emblematic figure in Montpellier’s business and sports scene, has decided to relaunch his mayoral campaign, a challenge he already attempted six years ago. Addressing an audience of 500 people, he expressed his fervent desire to revitalize the city, which he perceives as being managed in an overly partisan manner. By declaring, “Montpellier needs a builder,” he is positioning his candidacy as a catalyst for renewal. During his speech, the businessman made significant promises, including the creation of 30,000 jobs to make Montpellier a “zero unemployment” city. He also proposes measures such as a curfew for minors and free school lunches for all children, initiatives that align with the views of some of his rivals, such as
Jean-Louis Roumégas.
Controversy and Prospects Mohed Altrad’s return to the political scene comes at a complicated time. In 2022, he was convicted of corruption, a case for which he is scheduled to be retried on appeal in 2026. This conviction could influence public perception and impact his electoral success. In addition to his economic and social proposals, Altrad intends to tackle urban planning issues, promising to revise the traffic plan to eliminate congestion and to definitively abandon the controversial RDF (refuse-derived fuel) treatment project on the outskirts of Montpellier. This commitment could resonate with voters’ growing environmental concerns. Competitors and Electoral Stakes Mohed Altrad will not be alone in this race. Among his main opponents is Michaël Delafosse, the incumbent mayor, who had already outperformed Altrad in the previous elections. According to a recent poll, Delafosse would lead from the first round. As for Altrad, his first attempt resulted in a score of 13.3% in the first round, rising to 18.12% in the second, after an alliance with the comedian Rémi Gaillard. The issues will address various themes, ranging from security, illustrated by the proposal for a curfew for minors, to the city’s management in terms of public finances and urban projects. Numerous challenges await the candidates as the 2026 election approaches, not to mention areas of tension, such as the regulation of late-night grocery stores in certain sensitive areas.
Finally, the specter of Montpellier’s history and mystique, which resonates through its enigmatic past, could well influence the electorate, as citizens seek new leadership to guide their city into the future.