“A voté” – “They voted.” That phrase will resonate in thousands of polling stations this Sunday, March 15th, and again on March 22nd, as France holds its municipal elections. Nearly 50 million French citizens are expected to cast their ballots to elect their mayors for the next six years. And like all citizens, professional football players across France have the opportunity to exercise this crucial right. But for a select few, involvement extends beyond simply casting a vote; they are directly participating as candidates on electoral lists. This is a rare occurrence in French politics, exemplified by Pierrick Capelle, who has served as a municipal councilor in Saint-Léger-de-Linières (Maine-et-Loire) since 2020.
Capelle’s situation is unique in France – a player actively competing at a professional level whereas simultaneously holding elected office. The midfielder for Angers is again listed in 19th position on the list of incumbent centrist mayor, Franck Poquin, and may soon be joined by others embracing this dual role.
Johan Gastien is experiencing this foray into local politics for the first time. The Clermont player is running in his commune of Sayat (Puy-de-Dôme), a town of 2,500 inhabitants, after being convinced by a friend, Sébastien Bersnard, who formed a non-partisan list called “Demain se dessine ensemble” – “Tomorrow Takes Shape Together.” “This is more of a commitment to my community than a political commitment,” Gastien explained. “I’m not involved in politics at all. It doesn’t interest me much, to be honest. I’m doing this because I want to invest myself, to notice my children grow up in a healthy, dynamic environment.” Having been with Clermont since 2018 and settled in the village of Argnat, which includes Sayat, for the past two years, the 38-year-aged midfielder is nearing the complete of his contract and contemplating his future. This engagement underscores his intention to establish lasting roots in the community.
Local Connection as a Key Factor
Lionel Mpasi is driven by a similar desire in Rodez, though with a slight difference. The goalkeeper for RAF (Rodez Aveyron Football) for eight years, Mpasi moved to Le Havre in Ligue 1 last summer. While not geographically next door, he’s included on the list of Sarah Vidal (Divers gauche – Various Left) more as a symbolic gesture than a serious political undertaking, appearing in 34th position, near the bottom of the list. Unlike his colleagues in Angers and Clermont, he doesn’t aspire to a seat on the municipal council, citing personal preference and distance as factors. “My journey is linked to the history of the club and therefore to the history of the city. I learned a lot there, both personally and professionally,” Mpasi stated in a press release. Though originally from the Paris region, “Rodez will always be a part of who I am,” he affirmed, revealing that he has “chosen to purchase property” in the town of 24,000.
In all cases, the desire to place down roots and improve the local area is a common thread. “We often cycle with my wife and children and realize that there are small things missing, like playgrounds for the little ones. There’s something to be done. It’s on a small scale. In a larger city, I certainly wouldn’t have accepted,” Capelle told Le Monde in 2020. This local focus is significant. Municipal elections generally experience lower rates of abstention than national elections – with the exception of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic kept voters away from the polls. This Sunday, March 15th, 904,042 candidates, spread across 50,478 lists, will compete to lead one of the 34,875 communes in France. Only 68 villages with populations under 1,300 are without candidates.
“An Engagement in the City That is Partisan”
While mayors aren’t immune to scandal, even in small towns, local governance enjoys a level of trust that national politics often lacks. A study by Ipsos BVA-CESI Ecole d’ingénieurs for Le Monde found that 69% of respondents have confidence in their municipal team, and 82% expressed interest in the elections. The mayor embodies proximity and a tangible connection to everyday life, addressing issues like housing, community organizations, and local schools. They understand the specific challenges and opportunities of their territory, unlike the broad rhetoric and promises of centralized national policies. Political affiliation also seems to matter less at the local level.
“In small towns, the biggest difficulty is forming lists – finding people,” explains Paul Dietschy, a professor of contemporary history at the University of Franche-Comté. “There’s also a dimension of conviction, of putting down roots, of participating in local life. This is a civic engagement that distinguishes itself from the rest of professional footballers, who tend to have more social and charitable commitments. Here, it’s an engagement in the city that is partisan. It’s easier to get involved with sick children in the hospital than in a municipality where you receive more criticism than compliments,” the historian continued. In these smaller communities, the athlete’s notoriety takes a backseat; the focus is on finding a neighbor, someone invested in the local area, rather than someone who will bring celebrity to the campaign.
Gastien: “If I’m investing in my community, it’s because I’m closer to the end than the beginning”
“Professional footballers are often rare in politics, and very often they don’t express their political convictions, or at least not until the end of their sporting careers,” Dietschy argues. “Firstly, because it takes time. Age also means they’ve gained a bit more experience. They’ve been in contact with the political world through their club.” Gastien, Capelle, and Mpasi are all over the age of 30. “As I tell people, you can probably guess that if I’m investing in my community, it’s because I’m closer to the end than the beginning,” Gastien confirms, sometimes nicknamed “Monsieur le Maire” – “Mr. Mayor” – in the locker room. Pierrick Capelle, who will turn 39 on April 15th, is also nearing the end of his contract with SCO Angers. Juggling personal life, professional commitments, and civic engagement isn’t effortless, and carries risks, much like on the pitch.
“It’s work, there’s no hiding it,” Capelle acknowledges, balancing training during the week, matches on the weekend, public meetings since the autumn, door-to-door campaigning, flyer distribution, and, of course, developing the political program. If he achieves a positive result in the elections, the youngest member of his list will be responsible for sports and community life in the commune, working alongside an experienced incumbent councilor. “The goal is to help develop sports infrastructure, talk to associations, revitalize them, and help them with schedules, and planning.” Having participated in the construction of two city stadiums and a synthetic football pitch during his first term, Capelle is confident of retaining his position. His list, “Vivre ensemble, agir pour tous” – “Live together, act for all” – is the only one running. This time, he will be in charge of developing soft mobility routes.
The upcoming days will reveal whether these footballers can successfully transition their skills from the pitch to the political arena. The results of these municipal elections, held on March 15th and 22nd, will undoubtedly offer a glimpse into the political landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential election. For now, these players are focused on serving their communities, proving that a passion for the game and a commitment to public service aren’t mutually exclusive.
