Electoral alliances expected to play vital role in number of contests including Paris and Marseille
Voting is under way in France in the second round of local elections – seenas a bellwether for next year’s presidential race – with cities including Paris and Marseille in the balance and both the radical left and far right hoping for gains.
Most of France’s 35,000-odd communes elected their councils in the first round last Sunday, but in municipalities where the contest is tighter, including most large urban areas, the second round will be decisive, with electoral alliances playing a key role.
Analysts say that while local elections are often decided at least partly on local issues, they can hold important lessons for national ballots. “They create momentum, provide a boost and establish a narrative,” said Frédéric Dabi of the polling institute Ifop.
Besides indicating voter sentiment before the 2027 vote – which the far-right National Rally (RN) sees as its best chance yet of seizing power, with Emmanuel Macron due to step down – the local elections can suggest which tactical alliances may be struck nationally.
