Socialists battle to hold Paris as left-wing alliances test voter support in key French cities.
Polls have opened across France for the second round of mayoral elections, marking the last major vote before the 2027 presidential election. In Paris, the Socialist-led coalition seeks to maintain its 25-year hold on the city, facing a challenge from right-wing candidate Rachida Dati, who has gained momentum from poll numbers and withdrawals by other candidates.
Key Battles in Major Cities
In Nice, Eric Ciotti, an ally of Marine Le Pen's National Rally, appears positioned for victory based on first-round results. Meanwhile, the hard-left party France Unbowed (LFI) has formed alliances with other left-wing groups, such as the Socialists and Greens, in 26 towns and cities including Toulouse, Nantes, and Lyon, to consolidate anti-right votes.
In Toulouse, centre-right mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc led the first round with 37% of the vote, but LFI's François Piquemal and the Socialist François Briançon have merged their lists, potentially giving them an edge. These alliances aim to prevent right-wing wins, though they face criticism for alleged ties to controversies involving LFI.
LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has been criticized following a speech referencing the Jewish identity of Jeffrey Epstein and amid investigations into the murder of a far-right student activist in Lyon by suspected far-left militants. Despite this, left-wing parties defend the pacts as necessary to block far-right advances.
Not all cities see such alliances; in Paris, Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire rejected a pact with LFI's Sophia Chikirou, keeping the race competitive. In Marseille, Socialist incumbent Benoît Payan benefits from LFI's withdrawal, while the National Rally's Franck Allisio contends with vote splitting from other right-wing candidates.
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 in France, with outcomes potentially influencing national strategies ahead of 2027.
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