French Elections
Read the latest news about the upcoming French election.
OPINION: Primaries cannot save France from a Trumpian future
As attention in France shifts to the 2027 presidential elections, John Lichfield looks at how the candidates will be be narrowed down and whether France is indeed 'sleepwalking into a Far-Right presidency'.
OPINION: For foreigners in France, each election brings a creeping sense of dread
The Local France's editor Emma Pearson explains why foreigners in France face an anxious year ahead as the presidential election looms large and the threat from the xenophobic far right grows ever stronger.
OPINION: Local elections show French far right is beatable - but not by this squabbling opposition
This was a Mr Potato Head election - writes John Lichfield - pick different features of the municipal results on Sunday and you can give France the face of your choosing.
5 key takeaways from France's local elections
France's 35,000 communes have been to the polls to elect their new representatives. Here's a look at what the local election results show and what, if anything, they can tell us about France's fractured political landscape.
Left-winger Emmanuel Grégoire elected mayor of Paris after tight battle
The left-wing candidate Emmanuel Grégoire - the former deputy of current mayor Anne Hidalgo - has fought off a challenge from the right-wing former culture minister Rachida Dati to become the new mayor of Paris.
French local election results: Far-right defeated in Marseille, left holds Paris
The left-wing mayor of Marseille won a knife-edge race against the far right, while in Paris the left-wing candidate held the city and in Nice the centre-right/far-right candidate won - here are the final results of France's 2026 local elections.
Latest: Results from 5 French towns targeted by Le Pen's far-right
Marine Le Pen's far-right party traditionally does not do well in big towns, in 2026 it had targeted five towns that it hoped could provide a breakthrough - here's how that went.
First time voters: What to expect when voting in France
If this is your first time voting in France, here's how the system works and what to expect when you head down to the polling station on Sunday.
Paris mayor election: What the latest polls say
The crucial second round of voting in France's local elections takes place on Sunday and Paris is among one of several cities facing an extremely tight race - here's what the latest polls say.
6 things to watch in round two of French local elections
The final, decisive, round of polling in France's local elections takes place on Sunday - from neck-and-neck races to party alliances, here's what to watch.
How to arrange a proxy vote in France
France does not allow postal votes, but if you are not able to attend the polling station on the day, you can arrange for someone else to cast your vote - here's how.
Alliances and deals: What happens next in France's 2026 local elections?
The results are in for the first round of voting in local elections and - as expected - there are some close races in the big cities, meaning that it all comes down to second-round alliances. Here's how these work.
Can I vote in the second round of the French local elections if I didn't vote in the first?
After the first round of voting in French local elections, several cities are on a knife edge - meaning that every vote counts in round two. But can you vote in the second round if you didn't vote in the first?
LATEST: The key takeways after first round of French local elections
Confirmed results in the French local elections show knife-edge results in cities including Marseille, Paris and Lyon - where voting will now move to a second round.
EXPLAINED: What powers do French mayors have?
There are 35,000 mayors in France, and half of them oversee villages of fewer than 500 people. But what powers do they have and why are they so vital to the functioning of the French state?
8 things to watch on Sunday in France’s local elections
France heads to the polls on Sunday for the first round of the 2026 municipal elections - here's a few things to watch out for.
OPINION: Local elections will show if France still has the will to resist the far-right
As France prepares for key local elections, John Lichfield looks at what the results can tell us about the strength of the 'republican front', the pact that voters can make to keep out the far right.
PODCAST: Why French local elections really matter and Macron walks Middle East tightrope
The Talking France podcast is back after a two-week break looking at everything surrounding the upcoming French local elections, the rising petrol prices in the country, and why so many Americans are moving to Montpellier.
EXPLAINED: How France's two-round voting system works
In most countries, voters head to the ballot boxes just once - in France, however, there are two polling days. Here's how the country's unusual two-round voting system works.
Paris mayor: Left-wing candidate's plan for a 'city Parisians can breathe in'
As the race for Paris mayor heats up, here's a look at the programme of one of the front-runners - the left-wing candidate Emmanuel Grégoire.
6 things to know about the knife-edge election for Paris Mayor
The race to be the new mayor of Paris is currently balanced on a knife edge, but whoever wins it's likely that the city will see significant changes in everything from parks and waste collection to bike lanes and tourism.
France suspects foreign interference in key mayoral races
A foreign disinformation campaign has targeted two candidates in France's local elections this weekend, a government agency and a security source said Tuesday.
The essential vocab to understand France's upcoming local elections
France heads to the polls on Sunday, March 15th for the first round of the 2026 municipal elections - here are a few key words and phrases you will need to know.