Rachida Dati, Les Républicains (LR) candidate who came second in the first round of Paris municipal elections with 25.46% of votes, and Pierre-Yves Bournazel from Horizons-Renaissance with 11.34%, agreed to merge their lists on Monday afternoon. They aim to unite the right and center against Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire, leading with 37.98%, and a divided left including Sophia Chikirou (LFI) at 11.73%.
The first round of Paris municipal elections on Sunday, March 15, 2026, saw Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire lead ahead of Les Républicains (LR) candidate Rachida Dati with 37.98% against 25.46%. Pierre-Yves Bournazel (Horizons, supported by Renaissance) garnered 11.34%, close to Sophia Chikirou (LFI) at 11.73% of votes cast. The two right and center rivals, who had not spoken tête-à-tête for nearly three years, met Monday afternoon to set aside past enmity and merge their lists ahead of the second round in about seven days (March 22, 2026). The deal is based on a shared goal of alternation against a left in power since 2001 and accused of damaging Paris for 25 years. Rachida Dati details in a Figaro interview: « The basis of the agreement with Pierre-Yves Bournazel is our common goal of alternation and a project to restore the capital against a left that has been damaging Paris for twenty-five years. » Key measures include child protection in after-school care, priority for workers in social housing, social home ownership, peripheral road coverage, and ecological transformation. The merged list respects the first-round vote balance, with Dati proposing Bournazel take second position. Dati calls: « I call on all those who no longer want this sectarian left to rally together. »