France’s far right makes gains in first-round municipal elections

France’s far right has made gains in the first round of municipal elections in the southeast, while big cities head to a runoff, including Paris, Marseille, and Lyon

PARIS -- France’s far right has made gains in the first round of municipal elections in the southeast, while control of most major cities, including Paris, remains undecided ahead of the upcoming runoff. The vote is widely seen as a test before next year’s presidential election.

Voters cast ballots in about 35,000 villages, towns and cities, with roughly 93% selecting their mayor in the first round, where mostly one or two candidates, not associated with any party, competed.

Turnout reached just over 57%, higher than in the 2020 vote held during the COVID-19 pandemic but significantly lower than in 2014, according to the Ministry of Interior.

Here’s what to know ahead of the second round on March 22:

Sunday’s first round showed the far-right National Rally of Marine Le Pen continuing to gain ground locally, particularly in southeastern France.