France held the first round of municipal elections on March 15, with the far-right National Rally retaining strongholds in Perpignan and Henin-Beaumont and advancing in southern cities such as Toulon, Nice and Marseille, Le Monde reported on March 16. Meanwhile, Socialist and broader left-backed candidates led in several major cities, including Lille, Rennes and Nantes, far-left party La France Insoumise remained competitive in multiple runoffs and President Emmanuel Macron's allies entered the second-round period from a weak local position.

Although municipal elections are heavily shaped by local issues and personalities, this cycle is being closely watched as an early test of party strength and alliance dynamics ahead of the 2027 presidential election, especially after the 2024 snap parliamentary elections left French politics more fragmented, weakened the presidential camp and sharpened competition within both the left and the right. Second-round runoffs will take place on March 22.