Overview
- Both parties have scaled up for the March 15 first round, with the RN fielding about 650 lists and LFI about 500.
- RN leader Jordan Bardella is aiming for several dozen commune wins, especially along the Mediterranean, and party figures say rising from four to around ten senators is within reach.
- LFI is largely running without alliances and seeks to seat several hundred new councillors to grow the movement’s footprint and credibility, according to Manuel Bompard.
- Ipsos figures reported by La Dépêche place LFI behind left rivals in big cities, with about 13% in Paris, 19% in Toulouse versus 32% for the united left, 9% in Strasbourg against PS at 31% and Greens at 22%, and 8% in Lyon.
- LFI’s near-term goals include clearing the 10% bar to reach second rounds and eyeing symbolic gains in towns such as Roubaix or Saint-Denis, while municipal outcomes will weigh on September’s Senate renewals.