Arcis-sur-Aube, France – A small French town has become an unexpected internet sensation as its mayoral election pits a candidate named Charles Hittler against Antoine Renault-Zielenski, a name evoking the Ukrainian president. The unusual matchup has drawn international attention, turning a local contest into a viral phenomenon.
Charles Hittler, the incumbent mayor of Arcis-sur-Aube, population 2,785, is seeking re-election on Sunday. He expressed dismay at the attention, stating, “It has gone completely crazy.” He noted that he has long been the subject of occasional jokes about his surname, but the current level of scrutiny is unprecedented. “I’ve seen online articles saying ‘37% of the people of Arcis are Hitlerites!’ My wife is in tears,” he said, according to reports.
The attention highlights the challenges of navigating historical sensitivities in contemporary politics. While the situation is largely seen as humorous, Hittler emphasized his desire for the focus to shift to local issues and policies.
Hittler’s family has a history in the Alsace region, near the German border. His father was taken to Germany as forced labor during the war and, upon returning, considered changing the family name. However, the administrative and financial burdens of doing so in 1949 led them to keep it. “We find only a few of his tribe left in France,” Hittler said, adding that his cousins in Alsace all had daughters, leading to the name’s decline there.
His opponent, Antoine Renault-Zielenski, carries a double name with Polish roots from his mother. He acknowledges the “comical” nature of the situation but has too had to address questions about a potential connection to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which he consistently denies. As reported by Le Bon Bon, Renault-Zielenski is supported by Florian Philippot.
Social media has been flooded with reactions to the unlikely contest, with many users sharing humorous posts comparing the two candidates to historical and current figures. The BBC notes that French social media is inundated with posts about the battle between the late German dictator Adolf Hitler and Ukraine’s modern-day hero Volodymyr Zelensky.
The election in Arcis-sur-Aube, while seemingly lighthearted, underscores the enduring impact of historical names and the complexities of identity in a globalized world. As tportal.hr reports, the small French town has overnight become an internet sensation.
One third candidate, who performed well in the first round, could still influence the outcome of the election. According to Nieuwsblad, Hittler has even experienced people drawing mustaches on his election posters.
