In the first round of the 2026 French municipal elections held on March 15, 2026, the far-right National Rally (RN) and the radical-left La France Insoumise (LFI) both secured significant gains, challenging the historical dominance of traditional parties. This election is widely viewed as a critical barometer for the 2027 presidential race.

 

First-round of French local elections sees strong showing for National Rally and LFI

In the first round of the 2026 French municipal elections held on March 15, 2026, the far-right National Rally (RN) and the radical-left La France Insoumise (LFI) both secured significant gains, challenging the historical dominance of traditional parties. This election is widely viewed as a critical barometer for the 2027 presidential race.

 

Key Highlights by Party

National Rally (RN):

Marseille: Candidate Franck Allisio scored approximately 35.4%, effectively tying with the incumbent left-wing mayor, Benoît Payan, and setting up a high-stakes runoff.

Toulon: Far-right candidate Laure Lavalette led with 42% of the vote, significantly ahead of incumbent Josée Massi (28.1%).

Nice: Éric Ciotti, supported by the RN, reportedly performed strongly, with polling leading up to the vote placing him ahead of incumbent Christian Estrosi.

 

La France Insoumise (LFI):

Northern Strongholds: The party saw high scores in towns like Roubaix, where it has a strong chance of winning the mayoralty.

Urban Gains: Significant results were recorded in Toulouse, Lille, and Limoges, driven largely by high mobilization among young voters.

 

Performance of Other Major Parties

Socialist Party (PS): Emmanuel Grégoire holds a clear lead in Paris with approximately 36.4% to 38% of the vote, well ahead of conservative rival Rachida Dati (approx. 25%).

Renaissance (Macron's Party): The presidential camp continued to struggle for a strong local presence, though party leader Gabriel Attal noted that 100 incumbent mayors from the party were re-elected in the first round.

Horizons: Incumbent Édouard Philippe (former Prime Minister) came out on top in Le Havre, maintaining his platform for a potential 2027 presidential bid.

 

Next Steps

Runoff Date: The second round of voting will take place this Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Tactical Alliances: Parties have until Tuesday evening to finalize candidates and forge alliances. Traditional parties may attempt to form a "Republican Front" to block RN gains, particularly in cities like Toulon and Marseille.

Turnout: Estimates place turnout between 56% and 58.5%, one of the lowest rates in the history of the Fifth Republic