France: Bally Bagayoko, the Mayor Who Became a Shield for Striking High School Students

Bally Bagayoko, the mayor of Saint-Denis, physically intervened during a protest in Paris on October 6, 2026, to shield high school students from a police charge, stating that these youths « could be his children ». He used his body as a barrier against police officers and has been actively supporting the students' protests from the start. Born in 1973 in Levallois-Perret, of Malian descent, he is a RATP executive, deputy mayor since 2008, and was elected mayor in March 2026. His political engagement began in 2001, and he is known for his close ties to working-class neighborhoods.