France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party failed to secure control of crucial southern cities like Marseille and Toulon during Sunday’s municipal elections, according to exit polls.
In Marseille, incumbent mayor Benoît Payan was re-elected with a clear majority. Similarly, in Toulon, centre-right candidate Josée Massi defeated her National Rally challenger, who subsequently conceded defeat.
However, the far-right did make some gains elsewhere. In Nice, Éric Ciotti, now aligned with the RN, secured a victory, highlighting the complex and evolving nature of the French political landscape.
These mixed results are viewed as a significant morale boost for traditional parties ahead of the 2027 presidential election, which will determine Emmanuel Macron’s successor.
Elsewhere, former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe was re-elected as mayor of Le Havre, further solidifying his potential presidential bid.
While municipal elections primarily focus on local issues, they often provide crucial insights into national political trends, particularly concerning the ability of centrist and traditional parties to unite against the far-right in highly contested races.