France’s Socialists tighten grip on four major cities in municipal elections

WorldPolitics
23 Mar 2026 • 3:24 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

  • France's municipal elections concluded with clear gains for traditional left and right parties, as Socialists strengthened their hold on several major cities.
  • Socialist candidate Emmanuel Grégoire won the Paris mayoral race, succeeding fellow party member Anne Hidalgo in the French capital.
  • The far-right secured a significant victory in Nice, with Eric Ciotti, allied with Marine Le Pen's National Rally, taking control of the city.
  • Despite the win in Nice, the far-right did not achieve a wider breakthrough, losing in key target cities including Marseille, Nîmes, and Toulon.
  • The elections, which saw a turnout of just over 48 per cent at 5pm local time, were widely viewed as a crucial test of the balance of power ahead of the 2027 presidential race.

IN FULL

Newswav Malaysia Best News App

Newswav is an online content aggregator and obtains its content from different online sources. The content in the app do not belong to Newswav nor do they reflect the opinions of Newswav and its staff. Your use of this app indicates your understanding and acceptance of this information.

Newswav Sdn. Bhd. (201701008480 (1222645-M)) 2026 All Rights Reserved