Municipal elections in France have offered a glimpse of the political landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential election. While the far-right National Rally aimed to confirm national momentum, they faced setbacks in major cities like Marseille, Toulon, and Nîmes. The party did, however, consolidate its support in France’s southeast and northeast, winning numerous mayoralties.
The left achieved success in key cities including Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, but failed to secure Toulouse. Meanwhile, Nice shifted to the far-right with the victory of Eric Ciotti. Traditional right-wing parties also saw gains, flipping left-wing strongholds like Brest, Clermont-Ferrand, and Besançon.
Overall, the results indicate gains for both traditional left and right parties, alongside one significant win for the far-right in Nice. The National Rally, despite doubling its vote count in some areas, struggled to convert initial strong results into victories in larger cities.