Quimper, Périgueux, Laval, Colombes: these weathervane cities to watch. Ludovic Vigognes political column.

Divisive Elections in Four French Cities

Bernard Sanan meticulously maintains the list. According to the president of the Elabe polling institute, four cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants have systematically changed political allegiance in every municipal election since 2001. They switched from right to left in 2008, left to right in 2014, and again from right to left in 2020. These four municipalities, which appear to be the most indecisive in France, are Quimper, Périgueux, Laval, and Colombes.

In a few days, will the rule be respected again? Will these four municipalities shift to the right? Since their volatility is also a barometer, it will then be concluded that it is rather this camp that won the 2026 municipal elections. Let’s take a closer look at these four swing cities.

In Quimper, PS Mayor Isabelle Assih is running for re-election. Six years ago, she was elected in a three-way race with 51.25% of the votes, while the right and the center were divided. This time, they are united behind Guillaume Menguy, supported by several parties. The outcome of this right-left duel remains to be seen. A RN list and a LFI-NPA list are also in the running.

In Périgueux, the situation is more confusing. The socialist Delphine Labails, who was elected in a three-way race in 2020, is not running. Instead, socialist Emeric Lavitola, who replaced her after she resigned in 2025, is now running under his own name. On the far left, LFI presents its own list, and there is also a Workers’ Power list.

Divisions on All Sides

The right and the center are divided, as they were six years ago in Périgueux. The former mayor from 2014 to 2020, Antoine Audi, is running again. He leads a list supported by various parties. On the other hand, Michel Cadet is competing on behalf of Horizons. Will they merge before the second round? This will be the key to the runoff. As in 2014 and 2020, the RN does not have a list in Périgueux.

In Laval, Florian Bercault is running for another term as mayor. In 2020, this left-wing candidate was elected in the second round. He leads a list supported by several parties. Facing him is Samia Soultani-Vigneron, who has the support of several parties. Three other lists are also in the race.

Finally, Colombes, the largest commune in the Ile-de-France region, was won by an Ecologist in 2020. Patrick Chaimovitch is seeking a second term. He faces off against an assistant from his team running for the PS and a LFI list led by Jordan Robichon.

On the right, there are also divisions. Joakim Giacomoni leads an alliance of parties, while Amélie Delattre is a candidate with her own list. A third right-wing list is also competing. In total, there are eight lists, including one from the National Rally.

The election takes place amidst ongoing judicial investigations. The town hall was searched in November for suspicions of favoritism towards Islamist associations. Joakim Giacomoni is also under investigation for alleged embezzlement and corruption.