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Political scandal in Toulouse: ex-deputy in court!
Former deputy mayor of Toulouse, Laurence Arribagé, receives the same sentence on appeal.
Political scandal in Toulouse: ex-deputy in court!
Today, November 28, 2025, an important court hearing is in the focus of the media and politics in France. Laurence Arribagé, the former deputy mayor of Toulouse, was convicted again in a trial before a Paris appeal court. France Bleu reports that the court has asked for the same sentence as the first conviction. This means five years of political incompetence, three years of probation and a fine of 10,000 euros. The verdict will be announced on February 5, 2026, and Arribagé will now face the challenge of whether she will be able to stand in the upcoming local elections in Toulouse if she is acquitted.
The Arribagé case is not an everyday trial. The allegations date back to the 2017 general election, where she tried to defend her position against Corinne Vignon. This resulted in a significant scandal that affected Arribagé. She is accused of plotting against Vignon, who was falsely accused of being an illegal fortune teller. Despite these allegations, Vignon won the election with an impressive 52.9% and has since been re-elected twice, while Arribagé failed in the first round, as La Dépêche explained.
A web of accusations and entanglements
After the first conviction in January 2024, the case was not closed. The three defendants, including Arribagé, Marc Menvielle and Frédéric Sartorelli, have appealed against their verdict. They argue that the punishments are disproportionate and emphasize that they were simply fulfilling their duties. The court is now demanding a sentence that is at least similar to that in the first hearing, but without provisional enforcement. All three now have to face arguments from their lawyers, who vehemently deny the allegations.
In another twist, Corinne Vignon, who remains in office as a member of parliament, remains in the background in the media. After her narrow victory in 2024, she retreats from the spotlight, further complicating an already complex situation.
Political turmoil in France
The connections between the legal processes and the political landscape could have far-reaching implications for the coming weeks and months. While Laurence Arribagé awaits a court decision, it remains to be seen what developments will unfold in both the judicial and political arenas. It remains exciting to see whether Arribagé will have the opportunity to re-engage in the political landscape of Toulouse or whether the latest developments will finally force her out of office.