Several candidates of Armenian origin have been elected to municipal positions across France, securing seats in various city and district councils following the latest local elections, held in two rounds on March 15 and 22.
In Marseille—home to one of the largest Armenian communities in Europe—the City Council is set to be formally installed this Saturday. Council members will elect the mayor, with Benoît Payan re-elected to the post. He will subsequently appoint deputy mayors from among the councilors.
Among those elected to the Marseille City Council are Azad Balalas, Audrey Gatian, Yannick Ohanessian, and Julien Harounyan, some of whom may take on additional responsibilities as deputy mayors.
At the district level in Marseille, Armenian representation is also notable. In the 13th and 14th districts, Mano Banoyan and Raffi Yalic have been elected as district councilors. In the 2nd and 3rd districts, Aurélien Petitjean Levonian secured a seat, while Grisha Mkhrtchyan was elected as an opposition district councilor in the 9th and 10th districts.
Beyond Marseille, Armenians have also secured positions in multiple municipalities across France.
In Alfortville, Garo Khachikian, Krikor Kosdikian, Arax Der Kevorkian, Mano Kabayan, and Stéphanie Nedelian have been elected.
In Issy-les-Moulineaux, Arthur Khandjian has secured a seat.
In Lyon, Jacques Balandjian has been elected as a District Councilor in the 3rd district.
In Arnouville, Mesrop Altounian, Nektar Balian, and Rose-Marie Abousefian have also been elected.
In Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux, Anahide Mardirossian has also secured a municipal seat.
In Nice, Alexandre Saradjian has also been elected.
The results highlight the continued civic engagement and growing political presence of Armenians across France, particularly in municipalities with longstanding Armenian communities.
