Candidates look for deals with rivals to boost chances as major seats including Paris, Marseille and Lyon appear tight
Political parties in France are hastily attempting to negotiate strategic alliances before the final round of local elections this weekend, after a strong showing by the far right and the radical left.
This Sunday’s final-round vote for mayors and local councillors in major cities including Marseille, Lyon and Paris is expected to be close.
The municipal elections runoffs are seen as a crucial test of political strategy and alliances before next year’s presidential election. Emmanuel Macron’s two terms in office come to an end in spring 2027 and there is uncertainty about who will next lead the EU’s second-largest economy.
In Paris, after the first round at the weekend, the Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire was solidly ahead of the former culture minister, Rachida Dati, who nonetheless said she still hoped to win control of the capital for the right after the left’s 25 years in power.
