French Far-Right Gains Momentum in Municipal Elections, Eyes 2027 Presidential Race
By [Your Name], Chief International Correspondent
PARIS – France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party has achieved significant gains in the recent municipal elections, bolstering its position as a major contender in the 2027 presidential race. The results, announced Sunday, show the RN winning control of 36 additional towns and cities, adding to the 18 already secured in the first round.
The victories represent a strategic push by the RN, led by Jordan Bardella, to translate national momentum into local power. The party aimed to establish a firm local base ahead of the 2027 presidential election, and these results suggest that strategy is gaining traction.
While not a complete sweep, the RN’s performance signals a growing appeal beyond its traditional strongholds. Notable wins include Wittelsheim in the Alsace region, La Flèche in the Sarthe department – a traditionally socialist area – and Montargis in the Loiret department. In the southeast, the party ousted the Bompard dynasty in Orange, in the Vaucluse department, and secured victories in Rivesaltes and Canohès in the Pyrénées-Orientales. Gains were also made in the Pas-de-Calais mining basin, with several towns flipping to RN control, including Liévin, Billy-Montigny, Oignies, Courcelles-lès-Lens, and Lillers.
The results weren’t uniformly positive for the RN. In Marseille, RN candidate Franck Allisio secured a strong showing, garnering 40.4% of the vote, but ultimately lost to incumbent Benoît Payan, who received 53.7%. In Nice, Éric Ciotti defeated Christian Estrosi, but this was not an RN victory. Laure Lavalette, the RN candidate in Toulon, was defeated by the incumbent Josée Massi.
These municipal elections are being closely watched as a key indicator of the political landscape ahead of 2027. A recent poll, as reported by France24, already places the RN in a strong position for the presidential election. The party’s success in these local elections further solidifies that position.
The RN had qualified 214 lists under its banner in communes with over 3,500 inhabitants for the second round, alongside nine lists from the Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR) and 35 joint lists. Several mayors already elected in the first round, such as David Rachline in Fréjus, Louis Aliot in Perpignan, Steeve Briois in Hénin-Beaumont, and Frédérique Joint in Saint-Savin, will continue to lead their respective towns.
The municipal election results underscore the growing influence of the far-right in French politics and set the stage for a potentially pivotal 2027 presidential election.
