Lunel, France – Stéphane Muscat, the head of the “Envie de Lunel” list in the upcoming municipal elections, was temporarily removed from the electoral rolls on Thursday following challenges to his residency, but remains eligible to run thanks to a last-minute tax document, according to reports from Midi Libre.
The decision came after two members of the “Lunel au cœur” list, led by Stéphane Dalle, formally questioned whether Muscat’s primary residence was actually in Lunel, citing his ownership of a property in the neighboring town of Marsillargues. The electoral control commission voted 3-2 to strike Muscat’s name from the lists, a move that would have rendered him ineligible to participate in the election.
But, Muscat presented the commission with an attestation from the French tax authorities, proving he has been paying his taxes in Lunel since January 1, 2026. His lawyer, Maître Maillot, argued that this document confirms his eligibility under Article L228 of the French electoral code.
The commission meeting, described as “sometimes heated and often chaotic” by Midi Libre, underscores the intense competition surrounding the municipal elections in Lunel. While Muscat can now run for office, the ruling prevents him from voting in the election itself.
Muscat has vowed to pursue legal action against both the authors of the original complaints and the commission members he believes acted unfairly. “We have witnessed today a political trial with the sole aim of eliminating me,” Muscat stated to supporters following the commission’s decision. “There was collusion of the ‘band of four’ against me, but I will be a candidate and my list will respond to this attack on democracy.” He also indicated he would pursue a criminal complaint.
The controversy is expected to dominate a candidate debate scheduled for February 26th, organized by Midi Libre. The debate will feature all seven candidates vying for the position of mayor.
Claude Arnaud, the current mayor of Lunel, has been working to revitalize the town’s cultural image, particularly following past issues with residents traveling to Syria, as reported by echo-des-tribunes.com in 2017, though This represents separate from the current dispute. Arnaud recently oversaw the awarding of “Musée de France” status to the Musée Médard, a move intended to boost the town’s profile.
