French far right claims momentum for presidency after local elections
politico.eu • • world
Key Points:
- The far-right National Rally, despite not winning major target cities in France’s local elections, claims to have built grassroots momentum that could lead to victory in the 2027 presidential election, where it is currently the favorite.
- The party secured key wins in smaller and mid-sized southern cities, including Nice and Perpignan, but fell short in larger cities like Marseille, Toulon, and Nîmes, often finishing second.
- National Rally leaders emphasize their growing local presence and argue that traditional parties dominate big cities but do not reflect broader national political trends favoring the right.
- The party faces persistent challenges in second-round runoffs, where other parties unite against it, as seen in Toulon and previous presidential elections.
- Rival parties, including President Macron’s Renaissance and the conservative Les Républicains, acknowledge the rise of political extremes and are preparing strategies to counter the National Rally’s growing influence ahead of the presidential race.
