Trending Now - France's Local Elections Shift Power to Extremist Parties
WHO:
Incumbent Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo, elected in 2014 and reelected in 2020, decided against seeking a third term.
Franck Allisio, candidate of the far-right National Rally party in Marseille.
Édouard Philippe, former Prime Minister, is involved in the elections in Le Havre.
Rachida Dati, right-wing former Culture Minister and candidate for mayor of Paris, is seeking to become the capital's second female mayor in a row.
Benoît Payan, incumbent left-wing Mayor of Marseille, is facing challenges from both the left-wing opposition and the National Rally.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, was convicted of embezzlement last year and is prohibited from seeking public office for five years.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the France Unbowed movement.
Rachida Dati, right-wing former Culture Minister and candidate for mayor of Paris, is 60 years old.
Emmanuel Gregoire, Socialist candidate and deputy to Anne Hidalgo, is 48 years old.
Édouard Philippe, former Prime Minister.
French voters
President Emmanuel Macron
Incumbent Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo
Benoît Payan, incumbent left-wing Mayor of Marseille
Franck Allisio, candidate of the far-right National Rally party
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally
Rachida Dati, right-wing former Culture Minister and candidate for mayor of Paris
Emmanuel Gregoire, Socialist candidate and deputy to Anne Hidalgo
WHAT:
The first round of municipal elections is being held on March 15th, 2026, with a second round scheduled for March 22nd, 2026.
The National Rally's performances in municipal races will be studied for possible indications of whether the party is gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The far-right National Rally is projected to turn in a strong performance in southern cities such as Marseille, Nice, and Toulon.
Initial projections indicate that the far-left France Unbowed movement performed better than expected in cities such as Lille and Roubaix.
The first round of municipal elections is being held on March 15th, 2026, with a second round scheduled for March 22nd, 2026.
More than 904,000 candidates are running for municipal posts in roughly 35,000 villages, towns, and cities.
The far-right National Rally is fielding about 650 lists in the local elections, a much higher number than in previous local votes.
33 of 119 members of the National Assembly from the National Rally are candidates in the local elections.
The National Rally is fielding a higher number of candidates in the local elections compared to previous votes, with 650 lists.
Initial projections indicate that the far-right National Rally is looking competitive in southern cities such as Marseille, Nice, and Toulon.
Incumbent Mayor Louis Aliot of Perpignan was reelected with an absolute majority in the first round of voting.
The National Rally is fielding about 650 lists in the local elections, a higher number than in previous local votes.
33 of 119 members of the National Assembly from the National Rally are candidates in the local elections.
Initial projections indicate that the Socialists are currently ahead in Paris, aiming to extend their 25-year reign over the city.
French voters are participating in municipal elections to choose leadership teams across France.
The first round of voting is on March 15th, 2026, with a second round scheduled for March 22nd, 2026.
More than 904,000 candidates are running for municipal posts in approximately 35,000 villages, towns, and cities.
Nearly 49 million people are eligible to vote.
The National Rally is fielding about 650 lists in the local elections.
The party currently holds just one city with more than 100,000 inhabitants, Perpignan.
WHERE:
The elections are being held in France's overseas regions and territories, including New Caledonia.
The elections are also being held in France's overseas regions and territories, including New Caledonia.
France, including major cities like Paris and Marseille.
Paris, the capital city.
Marseille, France's second-largest city.
WHEN:
A key verdict for Marine Le Pen is set for July 7th, 2026.
The second round of voting is scheduled for March 22nd, 2026.
The first round of municipal elections took place on March 15th, 2026.
Polls opened at 8 a.m. (0700 GMT) and closed between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., depending on the size of the city.
The first round of municipal elections is on March 15th, 2026.
The second round of voting is on March 22nd, 2026.
A key verdict for Marine Le Pen is set for July 7th, 2026.
WHY:
The elections are seen as a test of the far right's strength as mainstream parties seem to be losing credibility with wide swathes of the population.
The elections are seen as a final major gauge of political sentiment in France ahead of the presidential vote in 2027.
The elections are seen as a litmus test for the far-right's strength as mainstream parties lose credibility.
The elections are seen as a final major gauge of political sentiment in France ahead of the presidential vote in 2027.
The elections are seen as a test for political parties ahead of the presidential election in 2027.
The far-right National Rally views the upcoming presidential vote as its strongest chance to take the presidency.
HOW:
Under French electoral rules, party lists must include equal numbers of men and women in alternating order on the ballot.
If no absolute majority is reached in a contest, a second round will be held on March 22nd, 2026, including all lists that attain 10% or more of the vote.
The elections will require a second round on March 22nd, 2026, if no absolute majority is reached, including all lists that attain 10% or more of the vote.
If no absolute majority is reached in a contest, a second round will be held on March 22nd, 2026, including all lists that attain 10% or more of the vote.
Under French electoral rules, party lists must include equal numbers of men and women in alternating order on the ballot.
If no absolute majority is reached in a contest, a second round will be held, including all lists that attain 10% or more of the vote.
(UPDATED March 16, 2026 13:20 UTC)
In a significant development for French politics, incumbent Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced she will not seek a third term as municipal elections took place on March 15, 2026, with a second round set for March 22. The far-right National Rally is expected to perform strongly in southern cities like Marseille, while initial projections suggest the far-left France Unbowed movement has exceeded expectations in places like Lille and Roubaix. These elections are viewed as a crucial test for the far right, especially with Marine Le Pen awaiting a key verdict on July 7, 2026, as mainstream parties struggle to maintain credibility among voters.
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(UPDATED March 16, 2026 07:19 UTC)
In a significant political event, the first round of municipal elections took place on March 15, 2026, with over 904,000 candidates vying for positions across roughly 35,000 locations in France, including its overseas territories like New Caledonia. Rachida Dati, a right-wing former Culture Minister, is aiming to become Paris's second female mayor in a row, while incumbent left-wing Mayor Benoît Payan of Marseille faces challenges from both the left-wing opposition and the National Rally, which is fielding a record number of candidates this election. If no candidate secures an absolute majority, a second round of voting will occur on March 22, 2026, featuring all lists that receive at least 10% of the vote.
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(UPDATED March 16, 2026 05:35 UTC)
In the first round of municipal elections held last Monday, the far-right National Rally, despite its leader Marine Le Pen being barred from public office for five years due to a previous embezzlement conviction, fielded a record 650 candidates and showed strong competition in southern cities like Marseille, Nice, and Toulon. Incumbent Mayor Louis Aliot of Perpignan was reelected with an absolute majority, while these elections are viewed as a crucial test of the far-right's influence as traditional parties struggle to maintain credibility. If no candidate secures an absolute majority, a second round of voting will take place on March 22.
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(UPDATED March 15, 2026 23:02 UTC)
In France, local elections are underway, with polls having opened at 8 a.m. and closing between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., depending on the city size. The National Rally is fielding around 650 lists, with 33 of its 119 members in the National Assembly running as candidates, while initial projections show the Socialists leading in Paris, where they aim to extend their 25-year reign. If no candidate secures an absolute majority, a second round will take place on March 22, including all lists that receive 10 percent or more of the vote.
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(UPDATED March 15, 2026 17:05 UTC)
Today, French voters are heading to the polls for the first round of municipal elections, with nearly 49 million eligible to cast their ballots across approximately 35,000 locations. Candidates include incumbent Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo in Paris, Benoît Payan in Marseille, and Rachida Dati, the right-wing former Culture Minister, alongside far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen. The second round of voting is scheduled for March 22, and these elections are being closely watched as a crucial test for political parties ahead of the presidential election in 2027.