Muslim Activist’s Election List Sparks Controversy in French Municipal Race

A ministerial source, quoted by AFP, indicates that this classification of a community list "is not based on a statistical categorization, but is the result of reports made by the prefects". Samy Debah’s list "The True Change for Garges" is labeled "Various" on the official website of the lists filed in the prefectures of France.

Samy Debah believes he is the subject of "special treatment". Because his name is widely cited in the debates on the so-called "community" lists. This history-geography teacher had come out on top in the town of Garges-lès-Gonesse, in both the first and second rounds of the legislative elections, but had not been able to win the constituency due to the high abstention rate, according to AFP.

The categorization of his list does not upset Samy Debah much. He acknowledges being the subject of special treatment, but remains focused on his program and the campaign, he reassured, even if he regrets the actions of the prefect, with regard to the communitarian character of certain lists.

A focus on Samy Debah’s list is not to the liking of the other candidates in the race for the municipal elections, reports AFP. They denounce media coverage for his list and also the fact that he takes advantage of it to play the victim. According to Benoît Jimenez, UDI candidate, "we talk about it too much. That’s why I never wanted to get into it. Because the big loser is the debate of ideas in the city; and that’s a shame," he laments.