Overview
- Voters in larger municipalities return to the polls on Sunday, with two‑round rules elevating list mergers and strategic withdrawals after a fragmented first round.
- The National Rally increased its municipal tally from about 17 to roughly 24 wins and is well placed in southern cities, leading in Toulon and competitive in Nice, Marseille and Nîmes.
- On the left, parties held key urban centers and posted notable gains such as an LFI‑Communist victory in Saint‑Denis, while local alliances formed in cities like Lyon and Toulouse to counter the right.
- In Marseille, LFI candidate Sébastien Delogu quit the runoff citing the far‑right risk, a move that could bolster incumbent Benoît Payan against RN challenger Franck Allisio after a one‑point first‑round gap.
- Turnout in the first round was about 57 percent, one of the lowest on record, with analysts warning abstention may aid the RN as centrists struggle locally despite Édouard Philippe’s strong position in Le Havre.