Why France's local elections are more important than you think

"France will hold municipal elections on March 15 and 22, votes seen as a key test ahead of next year's presidential election. The two-round ballot will measure the strength of the far-right National Rally (RN) and showcase what types of alliances could emerge in an increasingly fragmented landscape."

"Heading nearly 35,000 communes - from major cities to villages with only a few dozen residents - mayors are France's most trusted elected officials, seen by voters as the political figures closest to their daily concerns. Local results can also shape national momentum and reveal which themes resonate with voters."

"The anti-immigration, eurosceptic party, which has so far struggled to make meaningful gains at a local level, is treating the March votes as a critical step toward building momentum for the 2027 presidential ballot. It hopes to consolidate towns it already controls and expand into larger urban areas."

France will conduct municipal elections on March 15 and 22, representing a significant political test ahead of the 2027 presidential election. These elections will determine the strength of the far-right National Rally and reveal potential political alliances in an increasingly fragmented landscape. Mayors, who lead nearly 35,000 communes ranging from major cities to small villages, are France's most trusted elected officials and are viewed as closest to voters' daily concerns. The National Rally, an anti-immigration and eurosceptic party that has struggled to gain meaningful local representation, views these municipal votes as critical for building momentum toward the presidential ballot. The party plans to field approximately 650 lists, substantially more than previous efforts, aiming to consolidate existing controlled towns and expand into larger urban areas.

Read at www.independent.co.uk