Determined to improve daily life and defend the interests of the people of Saint-Denis, Bally Bagayoko launched a successful campaign for mayor. On March 21, 2026, he officially became the new mayor of Saint-Denis, France.
But his victory was quickly overshadowed by a wave of misinformation and racist attacks. Refusing to stay silent, Bagayoko filed complaints against those responsible and organized a public rally on April 4 to denounce racism. In just two months in office, he has already shown a determination to confront discrimination head-on.
Before entering politics, Bagayoko built a diverse career. He worked as an executive at RATP after studying at Paris 8 University, where he specialized in urban studies and geopolitics.
Yet politics and public service were not always his first ambition. As a child, Bagayoko dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player. His talent earned him places in regional teams and eventually semi-professional competition. However, instead of pursuing a full-time sports career, he chose to mentor young athletes. After earning his state coaching diploma, he joined the Saint-Denis Union Sport basketball club, following a path similar to that of Grand Corps Malade.
