The first round of municipal elections in France indicated progress by the ultra-right party led by Marine Le Pen, Réunion National (RN), expanding the party’s presence in several cities across the country.
The result, released after the vote held on Sunday (15), is seen as a political thermometer before the presidential election scheduled for next year, when Emmanuel Macron’s term ends.
Although French municipal elections tend to be strongly influenced by local issues and the popularity of candidates in the cities, this year’s election took on a national dimension. The performance of the parties has been interpreted as a test of the parties’ ability to expand electoral bases and form alliances before the presidential contest.
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For Le Pen and her political ally Jordan Bardella, president of RN, the initial results indicate progress in the party’s territorial expansion strategy. Traditionally strong in the industrial regions of northern France, the party is also trying to consolidate its presence in the south of the country.
Advancement in strategic cities
In the first round, candidates from Réunion National were among the most voted in important cities such as Marseille and Nice, positioning the party competitively for the second round, scheduled for March 22.
The performance was also relevant in municipalities where the ultra-right already has a consolidated presence, such as Perpignan and Toulon.
Despite the progress, the final victory still depends on the political negotiations typical of the second round of French elections, when parties often form alliances to block opponents.
Open dispute in Paris
In the French capital, the Socialist Party appears well positioned to maintain control of city hall after more than two decades in power. Socialist candidate Emmanuel Grégoire finished the first round ahead of conservative Rachida Dati.
However, the dispute in Paris remains open. Three other candidates advanced to the second round: centrist Jean-Yves Bournazel, far-left candidate Sophia Chikirou and Sarah Knafo, representative of the ultra-right.
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The presence of several competitors in the second round tends to intensify political negotiations in the coming days, as alliances or withdrawals can significantly alter the final result.
Other political movements
Former prime minister Édouard Philippe, from the center right, also had a relevant result when he led the first round in the port city of Le Havre, with around ten points ahead of his opponents.
The radical left party France Insubmissa (LFI), led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, participated in the municipal elections with hundreds of candidates for the first time.
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The party recorded an impressive performance in cities such as Lille and Saint-Denis, in the Paris metropolitan region. In Roubaix, in the northeast of the country, an LFI candidate appears competitive to win the second round, which could guarantee the party its first mayorship in a city with more than 100 thousand inhabitants.
Negotiations before the second round
With the second round scheduled for next Sunday, parties and candidates must intensify negotiations to merge electoral lists and political agreements.
These alliances are common in the French municipal electoral system and can define the final result in several cities, both to consolidate victories and to prevent the advance of opponents.
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