Far Right Fails to Capture Major Cities in France's Municipal Elections

France’s far-right National Rally failed to secure key cities in Sunday’s municipal elections, falling short in major urban centers like Paris and Marseille. While the party made gains in certain regions, it missed opportunities to consolidate power in areas it had targeted for expansion.

The National Rally’s candidates lost in cities such as Toulon, Nîmes, and Marseille, despite having positioned these areas as potential strongholds. In Marseille, a far-left candidate withdrew to consolidate support for the incumbent Socialist mayor, Benoit Payan, who is projected to win with 54% of the vote.

Meanwhile, Paris mayor candidate Emmanuel Grégoire, representing the Socialist Party, remained ahead in early projections, despite a far-right candidate dropping out of the runoff to support a conservative candidate. The move left the race in the capital city extremely tight with no clear winner in the first round.

Why Did the Far Right Miss Key Targets?

Alliances between left-wing and center-right candidates helped block National Rally advances in several major cities. In Nice, for example, a candidate aligned with the National Rally won with about 48% of the vote, but the party still fell short of capturing high-profile cities like Paris.

The so-called republican front — a strategy of uniting across party lines to keep the far right out of power — appeared effective in Marseille and other cities. This approach, which often involves candidates withdrawing to consolidate support for a common rival, has become a key tactic in French local elections.

How Did the Left and Center Hold Ground?

In cities such as Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand, traditional left-wing and center-right parties held their ground. The Green mayor of Lyon, Grégory Doucet, is projected to retain his position, while the conservative party Les Républicains won in the traditionally Socialist stronghold of Clermont-Ferrand.

Centrist candidates, including Edouard Philippe, also performed well in several cities. Philippe is running for mayor of Le Havre and is projected to win, which could position him as a potential presidential candidate in 2027.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Political analysts are closely watching how these results might influence the 2027 presidential race. While the National Rally’s candidates did not win in Paris or Marseille, they still emerged as a major force in local politics, with Jordan Bardella claiming that the party is now the "only bulwark against the far left" in several regions.

Bardella criticized center-right parties for not joining the National Rally in strategic cities like Marseille, suggesting that the far right could have claimed more victories had they received stronger support from traditional conservative blocs.

The results also highlight the continued struggle of centrist parties to find a clear identity in an increasingly fragmented political landscape. While some centrist mayors were elected, they frequently had to form alliances with both left and right-wing candidates to win.

The municipal elections are seen as a barometer for national politics, with voters expressing concerns over issues like local governance, waste management, and economic stability. These local concerns often overshadow national political debates, but they provide insights into broader political trends.

The National Rally’s failure to secure key urban centers does not signal a decline in its influence. Instead, it suggests that the party is still consolidating its position in the national political arena. Its performance in cities like Nice and Carcassonne indicates that it remains a formidable political force.

As the 2027 presidential race approaches, the results of these municipal elections will be closely analyzed for signs of voter fatigue or shifting alliances. For now, the far right remains a significant but not dominant force in French politics.