France, March 31 -- Bagayoko drew criticism immediately after he was elected mayor of Saint-Denis on 15 March, following his comments about the allegiances of municipal workers and his plans to disarm the local police.

As the first France Unbowed (LFI) mayor of a city of more than 100,000 residents, his party's far-left stance has also become a focal point for attacks from the far right.

Much of the criticism directed at Bagayoko - whose parents are from Mali - has been overtly racist.

On the night of his victory, far-right social media accounts referred to his description of the city as "la ville des rois" ("the city of kings") by calling it "la ville des noirs" ("the city of blacks").

French left wins mayoral elections in Paris...