Far-right eyes gains in France polls

Socialist candidate leads in Paris

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Incumbent mayor and centre-right Horizons Party candidate for re-election Edouard Philippe arrives to speak following the results of the first round of France's 2026 municipal elections in Le Havre on Sunday.

(AFP)

PARIS: A Socialist candidate was leading in Paris while the far right looked strong in several southern cities as projections arrived from first-round local elections Sunday, seen as a political barometer ahead of presidential polls.

According to initial results, a centrist touted as a strong contender for the 2027 presidential race, Edouard Philippe, was well-placed to remain mayor in the northern city of Le Havre in a second-round local election in a week's time.

The former prime minister, seen as one of the best candidates to take on the far-right National Rally (RN) party in next year's presidential contest, had made his reelection in the port city a prerequisite of his 2027 campaign.

Analysts see the local races as an early indicator of key trends and patterns of tactical voting ahead of the presidential showdown.

The RN views next year's contest as its strongest chance yet to take power, with centrist President Emmanuel Macron stepping down after the maximum two terms in office.