Intimidated Over Couscous Consumption in Marseille, Benoît Payan voices Discontent

In a shocking turn of events, the mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, has been subjected to death threats and racist remarks following an incident at a local food festival.

The controversy began when Payan was seen enjoying a plate of couscous, the third favourite dish of the French, at the Marseille food festival. This seemingly innocuous act led to an anonymous user posting an insulting message to Payan on social media. The threats were made under a video of Payan enjoying the dish, further intensifying the situation.

Payan, a left-wing mayor, has been vocal about his commitment to unity and has received support from various personalities in the face of these hateful acts. Carole Delga, the socialist president of the Occitanie region, and Olivier Rioult, spokesman for the RN candidate for the municipal elections of Marseille, Franck Allisio, have expressed their support for Payan. Even Sébastien Delogu, an LFI deputy of Marseille who often criticizes Payan's policy, has come forward to show solidarity.

In response to the threats, Payan filed a complaint for death threat or dangerous threat against a person's property against an elected official at a police station in the first arrondissement of the second largest city in France. He posted a message on social media thanking those who supported him and reiterating his commitment to not giving in to hate. "Threatened with death for eating a couscous at a Marseille food festival, I will obviously not give in and never will," Payan wrote. His message was accompanied by several screenshots of the insulting and racist messages posted on social media against him.

The support for Payan comes amidst the intensification of death threats and insults against him on social media. Payan's message reiterates his commitment to the people of Marseille, stating, "Marseille and the Marseillais are stronger than hate."

The rumours of Sébastien Delogu's candidacy for the municipal elections in Marseille, scheduled for March 2026, persist. As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the people of Marseille stand united against hate and threats.