Overview
- France votes on March 15 and 22, with analysts expecting numerous three- and four-way runoffs driven by RN gains and sustained LFI strength.
- Latest city polls put Rachida Dati ahead in Paris, Benoît Payan and Franck Allisio tied in Marseille, Grégory Doucet under pressure in Lyon, Pierre Hurmic leading Bordeaux, and Jean‑Luc Moudenc out front in Toulouse.
- Budget turbulence in the Assemblée Nationale has left candidates unsure about fiscal leeway, after swings in the main local grant that now appears set to hold at €27 billion for 2026.
- For the first time in Paris, Lyon and Marseille, voters will cast separate ballots for the central city hall and for sectors or arrondissements.
- From February 2, Arcom will enforce proportional airtime based on list representativeness, with a strict pre‑vote blackout starting at midnight on each polling day.