Political tensions are on the rise in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges as Louis Boyard, the defeated deputy from the Insoumis party, faces the fallout from his recent electoral loss to Kristell Niasme of the right-wing party, Les Républicains. On March 17, 2025, just over a month after his defeat, Boyard became aware of five of his allies breaking away to form a new council group named ‘Solidarité et Dignité.’ This unexpected move puts Boyard, who was initially part of the opposition, under increased scrutiny.
The new group has brought together familiar names: Mamadou Traoré, Mohamed Ben-Yakhlef, Juliette Ggbabgo, Insaf Chebâane, and Alpha Camara. Amid discussions to establish their presence within the municipal council, these members have made requests for recognition, access to council communication tools, and resources to support their mandate. Traoré, who is set to lead the new group, communicated this initial request to the mayor via letter on March 13, 2025, reflecting their ambitions to organize and strengthen their influence as they prepare for the 2026 municipal elections.
Traoré expressed optimism about the group’s future prospects, stating, "The door is open for Louis Boyard and Fadwa Sadak to join the group" (reported March 17, 2025). He believes the new formation is necessary for the left, particularly highlighting their desire to unseat the existing majority, which currently stands at thirty seats compared to the seven held by the left-wing opposition. Traoré advocated for some restructuring within their ranks, as he discussed the need for enhanced organization to effectively tackle municipal issues.
Boyard's defeat was not just at the polls—it marked the beginning of internal divides among his allies. Despite the exodus of five members, Boyard maintains he has not been ousted from any group, declaring, "I didn’t get evicted from my group". He emphasized the difference between internal bureaucracy and the focus on political combat at the council level, insisting to reporters, "It’s municipal bureaucracy but this changes nothing. What matters is the battles we fight on the council and what happens on the ground." His claims aim to assure his supporters and constituents of his continued commitment to their collective interests, regardless of the structural changes happening around him.
Adding another layer to the situation, Boyard’s team has described the formation of ‘Solidarité et Dignité’ as insignificant, referring to it as “a non-sujet.” They have reassured supporters by stating, "We are all interested in continuing to work together, even if not within the same group." Boyard's allies have indicated their determination to remain united through these challenges, no matter their compartmentalization within the political framework.
The timing of the new group’s formation aligns closely with the need to consolidate power within the left before the 2026 municipal elections. Boyard, who appears unthreatened by the split, suggests, “Everyone has to work collaboratively for the next municipal elections.” His perspective hints at reconciliation efforts and broader collective goals among various factions of the left, even as tensions simmer within the ranks.
Looking forward, the schism within the left raises important questions about strategy and unity. At this point, the political scene is marked by uncertainty, particularly as both Boyard and Traoré strategize how best to compete against the dominant right-wing coalition. The shifting alliance dynamics will play a key role as the local elections near, influencing coalition-building efforts and defining alliances within Villeneuve-Saint-Georges.
For now, the political maneuverings and the quest for new coalitions continue as Boyard weighs his options, signaling looming challenges for the left. The response from his former allies may set the tone for not just the upcoming elections but potentially for Boyard's political future as well, positioned at the crossroads between indignation and collaboration.
