France holds the final round of municipal elections ahead of 2027 presidential race

People line up as they wait to cast their ballot during the second round of France's municipal elections in Paris, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) 2026-03-22T07:20:31Z PARIS (AP) — French voters returned to the polls Sunday for the second and final round of municipal elections in over 1,500 communes. The vote is a test of the balance of power on France’s local political map before the 2027 presidential race begins to take shape. It is also a measure of whether the far right can convert national momentum into control of major cities, where it has often struggled to break through. The most closely watched contests are concentrated in major cities after a first round that left France’s traditional left and right competitive, the far right strongly placed in several urban races, and President Emmanuel Macron ’s Renaissance movement keeping a low profile in many of the most closely watched races. After days of mergers, withdrawals and tactical deals between lists, three-way races remain common in the runoff. Paris is one of the biggest prizes. Emmanuel Grégoire, heading a united left and green list, finished first in the opening round with 37.98% of the vote, ahead of conservative Rachida Dati on 25.46%, while La France Insoumise candidate Sophia Chikirou stayed in the race, setting up a volatile contest. At a polling station in Paris, some voters said turnout itself could prove decisive. “When things are a bit tense between two candidates, it’s abstention that can make the difference,” said Loïc Février, 51, a Paris resident. “If we ever lose this right to vote, it will be very, very hard to get it back.” Marseille is another marquee battle, where incumbent left-wing Mayor Benoît Payan led with 36.70%, only narrowly ahead of far-right candidate Franck Allisio on 35.02%, with Martine Vassal of the right also still in play. In Lyon, the runoff is shaping up as a direct duel after ecologist incumbent Grégory Doucet took 37.36% in the first round, jus

原文链接: AP News