French voters head to polls in second round of local election
French voters are returning to the polls on Sunday for the second and final round of municipal elections in over 1,500 communes.
The vote is a test of the balance of power on France’s local political map before the 2027 presidential race begins to take shape.
It is also a measure of whether the far right can convert national momentum into control of major cities, where it has often struggled to break through.
The most closely watched contests are concentrated in major cities after a first round that left France’s traditional left and right competitive, the far right strongly placed in several urban races, and President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance movement keeping a low profile in many of the most closely watched races.
After days of mergers, withdrawals and tactical deals between lists, three-way races remain common in the runoff. Paris is one of the biggest prizes. Emmanuel Gregoire, heading a united left and green list, finished first in the opening round with 37.98 per cent of the vote, ahead of conservative Rachida Dati on 25.46 per cent, while La France Insoumise candidate Sophia Chikirou stayed in the race, setting up a volatile three-way contest.
