Mathilde Panot, leader of the La France Insoumise (LFI) parliamentary group, has announced that mayors elected under the LFI banner in the 2026 municipal elections will disarm municipal police forces and dismantle video surveillance systems. This proposal has sparked widespread criticism across the French political spectrum. Opponents argue that disarming municipal police endangers public safety and undermines law enforcement effectiveness. Figures from various parties, including the Socialist Party's Olivier Faure and local officials such as Karim Bouamrane, mayor of Saint-Ouen, have rejected the proposal, emphasizing the necessity of police armament for security. Constitutional experts and police representatives have also expressed concerns, citing increasing demands from mayors for armed municipal police. Some LFI members, including deputy Éric Coquerel, defend the position by suggesting that armament is not essential for preventive police work. However, this stance has caused divisions within LFI itself. Critics highlight that many LFI mayors have in practice strengthened municipal police and video surveillance, contradicting Panot's position. The debate has intensified with voices from law enforcement, political leaders, and commentators warning that disarming municipal police could expose officers to greater risks amid rising security challenges. The controversy reflects broader tensions over security policy ahead of the 2026 municipal elections in France.