France is holding nationwide municipal elections on March 15 and 22, 2026, a key political test for parties and potential presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Voters are choosing mayors and municipal councilors for over 35,000 communes across the country.
The first round of voting saw a turnout of approximately 47.5%, according to the French Interior Ministry. The elections are being closely watched as a barometer of public sentiment toward President Emmanuel Macron's coalition and the strength of the far-right Rassemblement National, which aims to expand its local power base.
Key battlegrounds include major cities like Marseille, Lyon, and Paris, where incumbent mayors are defending their seats. The results from the second round on March 22 will shape local governance and provide momentum for the political landscape leading into the 2027 national elections.
