First-round of French local elections sees strong showing for National Rally and LFI

<p>Far-right and radical left parties likely to increase their local presence in advance of next year’s presidential race</p><p>The first-round of the French municipal elections have seen a strong showing for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/03/french-prosecutors-ask-appeal-court-to-keep-ban-on-marine-le-pen-running-for-office">Marine Le Pen’s</a> far-right the National Rally (RN), as well as for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/jean-luc-melenchon">Jean-Luc Mélenchon</a>’s radical left, with both parties likely to increase their local presence ahead of next year’s French presidential race.</p><p>The French <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/12/french-local-elections-electoral-alliances-far-right">local elections</a>, which now go to a final round runoff on 22 March, are seen as a crucial test of the political temperature before next year’s presidential election. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/emmanuel-macron">Emmanuel Macron</a>’s two terms in office come to an end in spring 2027 and there is uncertainty about who will next lead the EU’s second-largest economy.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/15/french-local-elections-first-round-results">Continue reading...</a>