The campaign for the 2026 municipal elections is entering its final stretch. With six days to go before the first round of voting, scheduled for Sunday, March 15, candidates are intensifying their travel, public meetings, and field operations to convince voters.
This Monday marks the start of the final week of official campaigning in many French municipalities. Teams from the various parties are holding numerous rallies and meetings with voters, while negotiations and strategic discussions continue behind the scenes with a view to potential alliances for the second round.
In this context, several political leaders are already discussing possible alliances between political parties, a central issue in the two-round municipal electoral system.
Jordan Bardella does not rule out a rapprochement between LR and RN
Asked on BFMTV about possible strategies for the second round, Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, indicated that he did not rule out the possibility of local agreements between candidates of the National Rally and those of the Les Républicains party.
Jordan Bardella explained that such alliances could occur in certain cities in order to "to prevail" or to do " dam " to lists supported by La France insoumise.
According to Jordan Bardella, these alliances could depend on local situations and the balance of power resulting from the first round. The president of the National Rally pointed out that municipal elections often rely on territorial dynamics and political configurations specific to each municipality.
The question of alliances at the heart of the municipal elections
In French municipal elections, the two-round electoral system encourages realignment among the different lists between the first and second rounds. When no list obtains an absolute majority in the first round, the lists that have exceeded a certain threshold can merge or maintain their candidacy for the second round.
This mechanism often leads to discussions and negotiations between political parties in order to strengthen their chances of victory in certain municipalities.
Several Republican officials have already expressed differing views on how to deal with the National Rally. For several years, the leadership of the Republicans party has officially stated its refusal of any alliance with the National Rally, while acknowledging that certain local circumstances can create complex political situations.
A campaign marked by power struggles between political blocs
The 2026 municipal elections are taking place in a national political context marked by the fragmentation of the party landscape. Left-wing parties, notably La France Insoumise led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, are seeking to consolidate their presence in certain major cities.
For their part, right-wing and far-right parties are trying to expand their local presence. The National Rally, chaired by Jordan Bardella and founded by Jean-Marie Le Pen and then led for several years by Marine Le Pen, aims in particular to win over new municipalities.
For Les Républicains, the party that succeeded the UMP founded by Nicolas Sarkozy, the municipal elections also represent a major challenge to retain or reconquer local strongholds.
A decisive final week of campaigning
As the first round approaches, political parties are ramping up their efforts to mobilize their electorate. Candidates are organizing public meetings, participating in local debates, and intensifying leaflet distribution in neighborhoods.
In several cities, negotiations for the second round have already begun informally, although the final decisions will depend on the results of the first round.
This final week of the campaign is therefore shaping up to be decisive for the various political forces, as voters will be called to the polls in a few days to determine the composition of municipal councils and elect the future mayors in thousands of French municipalities.
