Véronique Sarselli becomes the first woman to head the Metropolis and is already changing the game

A new political chapter has begun in Lyon. Véronique Sarselli was elected president of the Lyon Metropolitan Area on Thursday, becoming the first woman to hold this strategic position. Leading a solid majority from the Grand Cœur Lyonnais list, the mayor of Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon secured the election with 91 votes, representing a major political shift after years of Green Party governance.

From her inaugural address, the new president set the tone for a term she wants to be "more pragmatic and less ideological," promising to govern "with reality" and to rebuild the connection between the metropolitan area, the mayors, and the residents. This approach contrasts sharply with the previous administration, which was regularly accused of making decisions disconnected from the realities on the ground.

In terms of substance, Véronique Sarselli quickly announced strong priorities, particularly regarding mobility. She wants to abandon the Lyon West Express Tramway (TEOL) project in favor of reviving metro line E, which she considers more structuring. She also mentioned an ambitious tunnel project under Fourvière, symbolizing a return to a vision more favorable to major infrastructure projects and smooth traffic flow.

Despite an unprecedented power-sharing arrangement with a Lyon city council led by the Greens and a strong left-wing and La France Insoumise (LFI) opposition, the new president extended an olive branch to her institutional partners, calling for coordinated action. But behind this call for calm, a new political chapter is clearly opening for the Metropolis.

With this election, the right and center have regained control of one of the most powerful local authorities in France. The challenge now is to translate these promises into action, in a context where residents' expectations regarding mobility, security, and quality of life have never been higher.