Arabic version: فرنسا تجري انتخابات محلية كتمهيد للسباق الرئاسي

According to The Guardian,

France has begun voting in the first round of municipal elections, seen as crucial a test of the political temperature before next year’s presidential election. The vote for mayors and councillors in 35,000 villages, towns and cities across France is focused on local issues including security, housing and refuse collection and is very different from national elections. But the two-round vote held on consecutive Sundays — particularly the ballot in large towns and cities — will be scrutinised for what it can reveal about party strategy and alliances in France’s increasingly fragmented political landscape before the 2027 presidential race.

The far-right anti-immigration National Rally (RN) is seen as a key contender in the presidential race, but has traditionally struggled to establish itself at the local level, and lost councillors in the last municipal elections in 2020. The RN is seeking to hold on to the biggest city it runs: Perpignan, with a population of 121,000, close to the Spanish border. It hopes to win another city, with targets including Toulon on the south coast and Nîmes in the south-east. A big RN win in a large city would allow the party to claim that it is building momentum. It is the main opposition challenger in Marseille, France’s second biggest city, run by a leftwing coalition since 2020.

In Paris, the race for mayor is particularly notable, featuring candidates such as Rachida Dati from the right, who has a significant political history, and Emmanuel Grégoire, representing a leftwing coalition. Dati’s candidacy is marked by her previous roles in government and her upcoming trial for alleged corruption, which adds an intriguing element to the election.

The elections are not just a test for traditional parties; they also provide an opportunity for newer political movements, such as La France Insoumise (LFI), to gain a foothold. LFI is aiming to increase its representation in local councils, particularly in the greater Paris area. The dynamics of alliances between leftist factions and their strategies to counter the RN’s advances will be closely observed, especially in key cities like Marseille.

As voters express frustration with the current political deadlock, many mayoral candidates are running as independents, reflecting a shift in public sentiment. This election cycle is poised to reveal significant trends that may shape the future of French politics as the country approaches the presidential election in 2027.