Name: French mayoral elections gauge far-right strength
Uploaded: 2026-03-15T17:03:30.000Z
Duration: 1 min 9 s
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France voted on Sunday to elect mayors in a ballot seen as a test of the strength of the far right.

It may also ascertain the resilience of mainstream parties ahead of next year's presidential election.

French President Emmanuel Macron was among the voters.

Mayors across nearly 35,000 municipalities from major cities to small villages are France's most trusted elected officials.

Local results can shape national momentum especially close to the presidential election.

Opinion polls show the far right National Rally Party could potentially win next year.

National Rallies leader Jordan Bardella is the protege of Marine Le Pen, who is appealing against an embezzlement conviction that will decide if she can run next year.

The party, which has an anti immigration Eurosceptic agenda, has not made meaningful gains in local elections so far.

But security is voters main priority in this vote, according to polls.

Also in line with National Rally's law and order focus in many medium to large cities, there will be a second round of voting on March 22.