African-born mayor at centre of racism row in France Hate speech on air

The Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah has published an article on the racist scandal that has erupted in France, focusing on allegations of racist insults directed at newly elected Saint-Denis mayor Bally Bagayoko and what the publication describes as a wider climate of rising far-right rhetoric in French public life. Caliber.Az highlights the most telling parts of the article.

"The intersection of race and politics has become increasingly fraught, shaped by a public discourse in which media and political actors often normalize polarizing and inflammatory language around race, policy, and identity. In France, this dynamic is particularly visible in the rhetoric of far-right media and politicians, who argue that politics itself is actively reshaping racial categories and perceptions.

Lately, a French mayor of Sahelian African descent faced racist insults that are currently being investigated. The hate speech he faced reflects the rise of far-right ideology ahead of next year’s unprecedented and crucial presidential election.

Bally Bagayoko, a member of La France Insoumise (LFI), was elected as the mayor of Saint-Denis in the 2026 French municipal elections. For the first time, the commune, which is home to 130 nationalities, has a mayor who reflects its community, a child of the city and the son of a Malian immigrant family. However, Bagayoko was targeted with racist insults after winning the mayoralty.

Elevation of race parameters

Following the elections, Bagayoko was allegedly referred to with racist comparisons, including references to "apes" and "tribal chiefs," by guests on a debate show on the far-right network CNews. The channel, along with many other media outlets, is owned by the Catholic conservative businessman Vincent Bollore, who has been compared to Rupert Murdoch in shaping media influence in France and beyond.

Being another far-right embarrassment for France, these racist comments provoked strong reactions. Thousands of anti-racism activists attended a rally in support of Bagayoko.

Bagayoko’a story reflects what some describe as a breakdown in mainstream media standards and the rise of inflammatory discourse driven by hate speech and Islamophobia. A sense of ostracism is increasingly directed at politicians of Arab and Sub-Saharan African descent, with attempts to demonize voices critical of the political and media establishment, particularly within far-right media and political circles.

Ostracism

France is experiencing a rise in systemic racism that risks undermining its values regarding human rights, dragging the country back toward the dark years of the 1940s, specifically the Vichy

fascist regime (1940-1944) led by Marshal Philippe Petain. A country that is losing its image, reputation and prestige in Africa and across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Hence, Bagayoko’s election resonated throughout the country, raising awareness among younger generations of Arabs and Sub-Saharan Africans, who are now celebrating his rise nationally as his story has reached international media.

However, this story did not resonate much within the Élysée Palace. The French president appears focused on geopolitical and economic issues shaping the world order, where France’s voice on the world stage is perceived by some as increasingly limited.

France in the 21st century must no longer tolerate hate speech in the public sphere. Those who trivialize racism through arrogance and ignorance should be held accountable,” the article reads.