Socialists hold onto major French cities in elections, offering hope for mainstream politics.
French local elections saw Socialists and their allies retain control of the country's four largest cities: Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Lille. In Paris, Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire won the mayoral race, continuing the city's left-wing tradition amid policies like anti-car initiatives supported by voters.
Election Outcomes in Key Areas
The far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party secured a win in Roubaix and performed well in the first round in Saint-Denis, but alliances with mainstream left parties failed in cities such as Toulouse, Strasbourg, and Tulle. PS secretary-general Pierre Jouvet stated that LFI contributed to defeats rather than victories, highlighting voter preferences for center and right in some Socialist strongholds.
In Lyon, ecologist mayor Gregory Doucet, who allied with LFI, still won re-election, though his opponent's weak campaign played a role. Far-right National Rally (RN) failed to capture targets in Marseille and Toulon but celebrated victories in smaller towns like Montargis, Carcassonne, and La Seyne-sur-Mer.
Eric Ciotti of the UDR party won in Nice, defeating the incumbent and signaling potential shifts on the right. Meanwhile, pro-Macron party Renaissance achieved a win in Bordeaux, with former minister Thomas Cazenave expected to take office, and Edouard Philippe won in Le Havre, positioning him as a potential 2027 presidential candidate.
The elections underscored growing far-left strength in urban peripheries with immigrant and working-class populations, and far-right presence in provincial areas. Overall, mainstream parties of the left, right, and center claimed the most victories, providing optimism for future national contests.
Incidents like calls for a boycott of LFI due to charges against one of its assistants and controversial statements by LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon influenced some alliances and outcomes, though specific city results varied based on local dynamics.
