Far-Right Candidate Faces Uphill Battle in Toulon Mayoral Race After Right-Wing Rival Withdraws
TOULON, France (AP) — A potential breakthrough for the far-right National Rally (RN) in the southern French city of Toulon is facing a significant challenge after a key right-wing candidate conceded, throwing his support behind the incumbent mayor. The move sets up a head-to-head contest between RN candidate Laure Lavalette and Josée Massi, a center-right independent.
Lavalette, representing Marine Le Pen’s party, garnered 42.05% of the vote in the first round of municipal elections, positioning her as a frontrunner. However, the withdrawal of Michel Bonnus, who secured 15.71% of the vote, significantly alters the political landscape. Bonnus’s decision aims to consolidate the right-wing vote behind Massi, who received 29.54% in the first round.
The shift comes after a fractured right-wing campaign, marked by internal divisions following the resignation of former Toulon mayor Hubert Falco due to a 2023 conviction for misuse of public funds. Falco initially backed Bonnus, despite previously urging Massi to run.
Bonus initially signaled a willingness to discuss a potential alliance with Massi, stating he wanted to prevent a RN victory. While talks took place, no formal merger materialized. Bonnus’s camp acknowledged Massi was “in a position of strength” before officially announcing his withdrawal.
The outcome hinges on whether Massi can successfully rally support not only from Bonnus’s voters but also from those who backed Magali Brunel, the left-wing candidate who received 8.38% of the vote in the first round. Brunel has called for a unified front against the RN.
The RN, which previously led Toulon from 1995 to 2001, is hoping to capitalize on national trends showing increased support for the far-right. A spokesperson for Lavalette expressed confidence that Bonnus’s voters would not follow his endorsement of Massi, arguing that the two right-wing platforms share significant common ground and that Massi’s list leans further to the left.
The second round of voting is expected to be closely watched as a bellwether for the strength of the “republican front” – a traditional strategy of uniting against the far-right in French elections. The result will indicate whether voters are willing to set aside political differences to prevent the RN from gaining control of a major city.
This election is particularly significant given the broader political context in France, where the RN is increasingly challenging established parties. A victory for Lavalette in Toulon would be a major symbolic win for Le Pen’s party ahead of potential national elections.
