France Holds First Round of Municipal Elections

French voters headed to polling stations on Sunday for the first round of municipal elections across nearly 35,000 communes, from rural villages to major urban centers, in a contest viewed as an early indicator of national political trends ahead of the 2027 presidential race. With President Emmanuel Macron ineligible to seek a third term, the vote tested the momentum of various parties, particularly the far-right National Rally, which aims to expand its local influence. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. GMT in mainland France, with earlier voting in overseas territories like New Caledonia, Reunion and Mayotte. A second round is scheduled for March 22 in areas where no candidate secures an absolute majority.

The elections, involving more than 904,000 candidates for mayoral and council positions, centered on grassroots issues such as security, urban development and public services. In larger cities, national dynamics played a prominent role, with security emerging as voters' top concern amid ongoing debates over crime and immigration. Analysts noted that while small communes often prioritize local matters, urban races could reveal shifts in party support. "In large towns,...