In France's mayoral elections, Paris remains a focal point as Socialist incumbent Emmanuel Grégoire leads polls, but right-wing challenges and left-wing pacts could shift outcomes
French voters head to the polls on Sunday for mayoral elections in major cities, marking the last vote before the 2027 presidential elections. In Paris, Socialist incumbent Emmanuel Grégoire leads opinion polls, but centre-right candidate Rachida Dati trails closely and could end 25 years of Socialist-led control if she overtakes him.
Key Races and Alliances
In Nice, Eric Ciotti of the hard-right UDR party, allied with Marine Le Pen's National Rally, appears positioned for victory against incumbent Christian Estrosi. Across France, the hard-left party France Unbowed (LFI), led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, has formed alliances with other left-wing groups, including the Socialist Party and Greens, in 26 major towns and cities to consolidate anti-right votes.
These alliances aim to prevent right-wing wins, though critics from the right label them as "alliances of shame." In Toulouse, centre-right mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc holds 37% from the first round, but a merged left-wing list from LFI's François Piquemal and Socialist François Briançon could give them the edge, potentially making Piquemal mayor.
The pacts follow recent controversies, including the murder of a far-right student in Lyon by suspected far-left militants and comments by Mélenchon that drew criticism. Despite earlier condemnations from Socialists, these alliances persist in cities like Nantes, Grenoble, Lyons, and others.
Not all cities see such pacts; in Paris, Grégoire rejected an alliance with LFI's Sophia Chikirou. In Marseille, Socialist incumbent Benoît Payan benefits from LFI's withdrawal, while RN's Franck Allisio faces competition from a right-wing candidate splitting votes.
Centrist former prime minister Edouard Philippe performed strongly in the first round and is likely to win in Le Havre, boosting his presidential prospects. These elections highlight ongoing political divisions, with outcomes potentially signaling voter preferences for hard-left strategies ahead of 2027.
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