The second round of municipal elections began on Sunday, March 22 at 8 am. After a first round that elected over 33,000 mayors, 1521 communes still need to designate their mayor. In most major cities like Paris, Marseille, or Lyon, the outcome remains uncertain. By 5 pm, the voter turnout is at 48.10%.
While the vast majority of communes elected their mayor in the first round on Sunday, March 15, everything is still at stake in 1521 French communes where nearly 26 million eligible voters are registered, according to the Ministry of the Interior. In addition to the 1521 communes, a second round is also being held in 29 districts of Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. In total, there are 548 duels, 803 three-way races, 159 four-way races, and 16 five-way races to be decided.
In addition to the head-to-head races, negotiations and alliances between parties are intensifying as the second round approaches. In Paris, the focus is on the competition between the left and the environmentalists led by Emmanuel Grégoire and the right led by Rachida Dati. The outcome is uncertain in Marseille and Lyon as well.
In Marseille, the outgoing mayor Benoît Payan (Left Union) is facing a tough challenge and might lose his position. In Nice, Christian Estrosi is likely to be replaced by his former friend turned rival, Eric Ciotti. Lyon is witnessing a close battle between the incumbent Green mayor Gregory Doucet and Jean-Michel Aulas, the candidate backed by the right and Macronists.
Several key political figures have already cast their votes, including Édouard Philippe in Le Havre, Christian Estrosi in Nice, Emmanuel Grégoire and Rachida Dati in Paris, and others in various cities. Candidates are vying for support and hoping to secure their seats in the upcoming rounds of voting.
Published on March 22 at 5:05 pm by Léna Saint Jalmes, Shad De Bary, 6Médias.
