Shocking French Election Features Candidates Named Hittler and Zielinski

A Viral Election in a Small French Town In a surprising twist that has taken the internet by storm, the small French town of **Arcis-sur-Aube** is in the spotlight due to its upcoming municipal elections. The incumbent mayor, **Charles Hittler**, is facing off against **Antoine Renault-Zielinski** and another candidate, **Annie Soucat**. This peculiar political contest is not merely a local affair; it has drawn international attention because of the striking names of two of the candidates, evoking humor and controversy alike.

The election, set to take place on Sunday, has sparked a flurry of social media posts and memes, as users juxtapose Hittler's surname with that of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. With a population of just 2,785, the town has found itself at the center of a viral phenomenon, which has left Hittler expressing concerns about the overwhelming focus on their names rather than the issues at hand.

The Unfortunate Legacy of a Name When contacted by the BBC, **Charles Hittler** lamented the chaos surrounding his name. "It has gone completely crazy," he said. The mayor, who has held his position in **Arcis-sur-Aube** for years, recounted how jokes about his name have been a part of his life. However, he emphasized that the current situation has escalated beyond what he ever anticipated. "My wife is in tears," he added, highlighting the personal toll that this viral attention has taken on his family.

In a candid reflection, Hittler shared how his family history is intertwined with his name. He explained that his father, a shepherd from northern Alsace, was forced into labor in Germany during World War II. After returning, the family faced suggestions to change their surname due to its association with the infamous dictator, but the bureaucratic challenges and costs deterred them from doing so.

• Charles Hittler remains one of the few bearers of his surname in France, with many relatives having had daughters, leading to the name's gradual disappearance.
• Interestingly, one of his sons has opted to pronounce the name as