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Sri Lankan-origin student elected to French City Council at 18
April 9 (Daily Mirror) - A French student of Sri Lankan origin, Bilaal Lookman, has been elected as a municipal councillor in his hometown of Guyancourt, on the outskirts of Paris, at just 18 years old, making him one of the youngest elected officials in France.
Lookman, a first-year law student at the prestigious Paris-Panthéon-Assas University, was both a voter and a candidate in France’s municipal elections held on March 15 and 22, 2026. Born in November 2007 in France to a family with roots in Mannar and Jaffna, he secured a seat as part of the outgoing mayor’s team.
His early interest in public affairs saw him engage with French institutions from a young age, completing internships at the offices of a Member of Parliament, a former Minister of Education, and his local mayor at ages 15 and 16. He also had opportunities to interact with senior political figures, including the President of Parliament and several diplomats.
Lookman’s commitment to public service began even earlier, through participation in his town’s Children’s Municipal Council, as well as his involvement in community and charity initiatives during his school years.
“It doesn’t matter where we come from or the path we’ve taken. What matters is what we choose to build together,” Lookman said, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement in politics. “People need to stop thinking that politics is pointless.”
The young councillor now faces the challenge of balancing his academic studies with his new responsibilities, while aiming to encourage greater youth participation in political life and civic engagement.
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