Far-Right Parties Gain Ground in French Municipal Elections

France's far-right National Rally party secured significant victories in southeastern regions during the first round of municipal elections. Major cities including Paris and Marseille will head to runoffs on March 22, with results seen as a preview of the 2027 presidential race.

French far-right political movements secured notable victories across southeastern regions during Sunday’s initial round of municipal voting, while leadership battles in major metropolitan areas including Paris remain unresolved before next week’s decisive runoff elections.

The electoral contest is being closely watched as an indicator of political sentiment ahead of France’s 2027 presidential campaign.

Approximately 35,000 communities participated in the voting process, with roughly 93% choosing their local leaders outright in the first round, primarily featuring independent candidates without party affiliations.

Participation levels hit just above 57%, surpassing the 2020 election held amid pandemic restrictions but falling short of 2014 numbers, Interior Ministry data shows.

Key developments before the March 22 second round:

Marine Le Pen’s National Rally demonstrated continued regional expansion, especially throughout France’s southeastern territories.

Party deputy leader Louis Aliot secured a decisive victory in Perpignan, his established political base.

Marseille’s current left-leaning mayor Benoît Payan finds himself in a virtual tie with National Rally challenger Franck Allisio heading into the runoff.

Along the French Riviera in Nice, Éric Ciotti, who departed conservative ranks to establish his own far-right movement in 2024 while partnering with the National Rally, positioned himself as the leading contender for the final round.

Right-wing candidates also gained strong footing in Nîmes and the Mediterranean naval hub of Toulon.

Thousands of municipal positions across France await determination, including leadership roles in Paris and other significant urban centers.

Where three or more contenders advanced to runoffs, candidate negotiations to combine voter lists concluded by Tuesday’s 6 p.m. deadline, potentially improving their chances for victory.

Political partnerships have sparked intense discussions between moderate leftist parties and the radical France Unbowed movement, headed by longtime activist Jean-Luc Mélenchon, which performed well in several metropolitan areas.

France Unbowed previously collaborated with Socialist, Green, and Communist parties, but the coalition fractured amid accusations that the hard-left group tolerated anti-Jewish rhetoric. Critics also blamed the far-left for escalating tensions following last month’s fatal beating of a far-right activist in Lyon.

Despite tensions, some electoral agreements emerged on individual race bases.

In Lyon, France’s third-largest municipality, current Green mayor Grégory Doucet partnered with France Unbowed in a competitive battle against right-wing candidate Jean-Michel Aulas, a business leader and former soccer club executive.

Anti-racism organization SOS Racisme urged mainstream political groups to collaborate against far-right advancement. Group president Dominique Sopo stated: “No alliance should be ruled out if it helps prevent this party from taking control of new municipalities.”

Le Pen’s organization maintains limited influence in several major urban areas, showing weak support in cities like Paris and Lyon.

Paris mayoral competition features left-wing candidate Emmanuel Grégoire leading after the initial vote, though the runoff against conservative opponent Rachida Dati promises to be competitive.

Dati, a high-profile politician who recently served as France’s culture minister, aims to break 25 years of leftist control at City Hall. However, her career faces scrutiny as she prepares for a September corruption and influence-peddling trial.

Grégoire, who previously served as deputy to departing mayor Anne Hidalgo, leads a coalition combining Socialists, Greens, and Communists. He declined to partner with France Unbowed, whose candidate also qualified for round two, creating uncertainty about the outcome.

Departing Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, who won office in 2014 and secured reelection in 2020, decided against pursuing a third term after guiding the city through the 2015 terrorist attacks and hosting the 2024 Olympics.

Political attention increasingly focuses on the 2027 presidential contest, as municipal elections represent the final nationwide voting before the campaign for France’s highest office begins, offering all parties opportunities to strengthen local foundations. Current President Emmanuel Macron cannot pursue a third consecutive term under constitutional restrictions.

In the northern coastal city of Le Havre, sitting mayor Édouard Philippe, who finished first Sunday, seeks a runoff win that could boost his standing as a potential presidential candidate. The center-right politician served as Macron’s prime minister for three years.

The National Rally views key mayoral victories as demonstrations of the party’s governing capabilities.

Marine Le Pen had been viewed as a top presidential prospect until her embezzlement conviction last year, which included a five-year ban from public office. She is challenging the verdict, with a crucial court ruling expected July 7. Should the ban stand, her protégé Jordan Bardella would become the party’s presidential nominee.

Multiple prominent politicians across the political spectrum have expressed presidential interest, but no clear frontrunner has emerged.