Louis Aliot, the mayor of Perpignan and member of the Rassemblement National (RN), was sentenced on March 31 to eighteen months in prison, including six months under electronic surveillance, along with a fine of €8,000 and a three-year ineligibility from holding public office.

Despite this conviction linked to a case involving fictitious employment of parliamentary assistants for RN eurodeputies, the sentence was not accompanied by a provisional execution, allowing Aliot to retain his position as mayor of Perpignan, the largest city governed by the RN in France.

Local residents expressed varied reactions to Aliot's legal situation.

Marie, a Perpignan resident, expressed her dissatisfaction with the size of the punishment, stating, "I am glad he has a conviction but sorry it is not being enforced...

I think the next municipal elections will change the cards, that people will become aware of who is leading the city." In contrast, Ludovic viewed the penalty as excessive, particularly noting Aliot's conviction for misappropriating public funds totaling €29,000 associated with the fictitious employment scheme.

Aliot has held office since 2020 after succeeding another RN mayor and has become a prominent figure within the party, serving additionally as vice-president of the RN. His case has heightened discussions around accountability and electoral integrity in the context of the party's governance, especially as local elections approach.