Paris, France – Left-leaning candidates secured victories in major French cities, including Paris and Marseille, during the second round of municipal elections held Sunday, March 22, 2026, signaling a setback for far-right parties hoping for significant gains. While radical-right candidates did achieve success in some areas, they largely failed to break through in the country’s largest urban centers.
In Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire of a left-wing coalition won a closely contested race against conservative rival Rachida Dati. “This is the overwinning of a certain vision for Paris,” Grégoire stated after Dati conceded, describing it as “a dynamic Paris, a forward-looking Paris.” He then cycled to City Hall to celebrate, according to reports.
Marseille and other cities like Strasbourg and Rouen as well saw left-wing candidates emerge victorious. But, the results were mixed across the country, with radical-right candidates winning in cities such as Nice and Carcassonne. These elections are particularly significant as they shape local governance and potentially influence national political dynamics.
France’s municipal elections are conducted in two rounds. A second round is triggered when no list achieves an absolute majority – over 50% of the vote – in the first round. While the majority of France’s nearly 35,000 communes determined their local governments in the first round on March 15, 1,525 municipalities, including major cities like Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Bordeaux, required a second vote to decide the outcome.
The municipal council will elect a new mayor from among its members. In Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire is expected to succeed Anne Hidalgo, a fellow socialist. The results in these key cities demonstrate the continued strength of left-leaning political forces in urban areas, despite growing national concerns about immigration and security that have fueled support for far-right parties.
Elsewhere, the Rassemblement National (RN) – formerly the National Front – hoped to expand its influence beyond its traditional strongholds in the south of France, targeting cities like Toulon, Nîmes, and Nice. According to reports, the RN has seen some success, but a broader breakthrough in major metropolitan areas remains elusive. In Nice, Eric Ciotti, a candidate with ties to the RN, led in the first round with over 43% of the vote.
The outcome of these elections underscores the political fragmentation within France, with no single party dominating across the country. The results will likely be closely analyzed for their implications for the upcoming presidential elections and the broader political landscape.
