Presidential Race in France Heats Up Following Local Elections
Although the far-right political group didn't secure as many victories as expected in the recent local elections in France, the leaders of the group believe they have gained enough support at the grassroots level to carry them through the presidential race next year.
These local elections represent a key test for the ultra-conservative party, whose anti-immigration stance has made it a leading political force in France. The presidential elections in 2027 are a critical point for the European Union, with the far-right party predicted to be a strong contender.
Mixed Results in Local Elections
The far-right group had a mixed performance during the elections. They did celebrate a major victory in Nice, France’s fifth largest city, where one of their allies came out on top. The group also campaigned heavily in other important southern cities like Marseille, Toulon, and Nîmes, where they showed strong but came in second.
In the cities of Toulon and Nîmes, the races were closely contested. The far-right party secured a whopping 40 percent of the votes in Marseille, which is a significant share for France’s second-largest and diverse city.
Despite not winning in larger cities, the party leaders highlighted that they did secure numerous victories in smaller and mid-sized cities and towns, especially in their southern strongholds like Carcassonne, Agde, and Menton. The party leaders consider these victories a significant step forward for their group, signaling a shift in the political landscape.
Strong Nationwide, Weaker in Big Cities
The far-right group suggests that despite traditional parties being more prevalent in larger cities, the national political trends are veering towards the right. However, the far-right candidate's poor performance in Paris, with a mere 1.6 percent of the vote, raises questions about this claim.
A poll conducted after the local elections still sees the far-right candidate as the favorite for the presidential race, with a significant lead over the center-right contender, a former Prime Minister. However, the results of the local elections could reignite concerns about the far-right group's ability to secure a win in the second round of the presidential race next year.
No Relief for Rivals of the Far Right
The rivals of the far-right group are not dismissing them despite their losses in the larger cities during the recent local elections. They noted the rise of extreme parties and warned that citizens are demanding quick and significant changes.
The elections yielded mixed results for the conservative party as well. They managed to secure mayoral positions in several mid-sized cities, and in France's fourth city, a former conservative saw off a far-left challenger. However, they suffered a major loss in Paris where a former Culture Minister lost to a Socialist.
The leader of the conservative party claims that they are the leading local political force in France. He criticized the far-right group as "demagogues" and positioned the conservatives as a viable option for voters who want to avoid extremes. However, with several presidential hopefuls within the conservative party, it's unclear who will represent them in the presidential race.
The far-right candidate, on the other hand, sees their progression towards the presidency as inevitable. He believes their success is just the beginning and not the end goal.