The National Rally (RN) achieved one of its most significant breakthroughs in the first round of the French municipal elections

Preliminary results indicate that the party secured a majority in approximately 60 municipalities, a notable increase from the mere 11 it achieved in previous local elections, highlighting its growing presence at the local level.

At the opposite end of the political spectrum, the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) party and its allies also made gains. In the Seine-Saint-Denis department, a left-wing candidate won the first round with 50.77% of the vote, significantly ahead of their nearest competitor, who garnered 32%, thus eliminating the need for a second round. In Roubaix, the leading left-wing candidate received 47%, placing the left in a strong position ahead of the second round, as reported by Brussels Signal.

Municipal elections in France are held every six years, during which members of city councils are elected, who subsequently decide on the mayor’s appointment. The election operates on a two-round system: candidates who secure at least 10% of the votes in the first round advance to the second round. Smaller groups may form alliances with larger ones between the two rounds.

La France insoumise a créé la surprise lors du premier tour des élections municipales. La dynamique LFI dans les grandes villes bouscule les socialistes et tend á conforter Jean-Luc Mélenchon dans sa stratégie, á un an de la présidentielle.

➡️ https://t.co/qHVemdQPcx pic.twitter.com/Sls7WnMmsZ

— Le Point (@LePoint) March 15, 2026

The second round is scheduled for March 22. Candidates wishing to remain in the race must submit their final lists by tomorrow evening, leaving parties with little time to decide on potential alliances. The elections are attracting significant attention, as they are viewed as a political test ahead of the presidential election in 2027. With approximately 35,000 municipalities in France, the results provide a crucial insight into the local support for each party.

Low Voter Turnout Characterized the Polls

While parties drew important conclusions from the results, voter turnout was notably low. Estimates released after the vote count suggest that between 41% and 45% of registered voters did not participate, marking one of the highest abstention rates in the history of municipal elections.

In several major cities, the competition remains tight ahead of the second round. In Marseille, the left currently leads with 36%, closely followed by the National Rally at 35%, indicating a very close contest. Paris also sees the left in a stronger position; however, major left-wing parties are reluctant to form alliances with the LFI, which could influence the final outcome.

The coming days will be crucial as parties negotiate alliances that may impact the final results.