France votes in local elections seen as crucial indicator for presidential poll

"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."

"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."

France is conducting municipal elections across 35,000 communities, focusing on local governance issues like security, housing, and services. While centered on local concerns, these elections serve as a barometer for national political trends before the 2027 presidential election. Emmanuel Macron's presidency ends next year amid parliamentary fragmentation between left, far-right, and centrist factions. The far-right National Rally (RN) is a significant presidential contender but has historically underperformed locally, losing councillors in 2020. The RN aims to retain Perpignan and capture other major cities including Toulon and Nimes. Success in large cities would demonstrate growing momentum. Competition intensifies in Marseille and Nice, where the RN challenges incumbent coalitions and individual candidates.

Read at www.theguardian.com