Alliances to keep far right out come under pressure

France's voters go to the polls on 15 and 22 March for two rounds of municipal elections that will provide the clearest indication yet of the political temperature in the runup to next year's presidential election.

- Jon Henley

The ballots in 35,000 communes across France are a test of the far-right National Rally (RN) and of the alliances that could hold it at bay - or help it to power.

Why do these elections matter?

Polls consistently show France's mayors are the country's most trusted politicians and, while municipal elections often focus on local matters, they measure support for parties and shape national momentum.

Held every six years, the municipal ballots are being watched particularly closely this time because of next year's election that will decide who succeeds Emmanuel Macron as president; polls so far suggest it could well be the RN's candidate, whether that is Jordan Bardella or Marine Le Pen.

Municipal election results are difficult to predict - partly because pollsters do not always pick up on the issues that decide them, but also because every candidate list that scores 10% or more in the first round advances to the second.

In addition, lists that score at least 5% can merge with larger lists.