In Carpentras, outgoing mayor Serge Andrieu (divers gauche) welcomes divisions within the far right for the 2026 municipal elections. The Rassemblement national (RN) has invested a candidate, while the party's 2020 supported candidate is trying again. Former mayor Francis Adolphe also aims to return.
Serge Andrieu, divers gauche mayor of Carpentras, a sub-prefecture in Vaucluse, sighs at persistent rumors: « A force de voir des journalistes venir pour dire 'Carpentras va basculer au RN' [Rassemblement national], tout le monde croit qu’on est RN… Mais la ville ne l’a jamais été ! » The mayor and his municipal agents often deny this notion, which he attributes to Marion Maréchal's election as RN deputy for the 3rd Vaucluse constituency from 2012 to 2017.
Despite this, the RN has never captured the town hall. Andrieu, intent on continuing his term, jokes: « Maintenant que le RN est enfin tenté de prendre Carpentras, il vaut mieux que je reste pour leur faire barrage… Bon, c’est la galéjade », he clarifies. In 2020, the RN backed Bertrand de La Chesnais, a general and former No. 2 in the army, not a party member. In the second round, he garnered 39.18% of votes against 45.82% for Andrieu. The Les Républicains (LR) candidate, Claude Melquior, who stayed in the race, received 15%. De La Chesnais recalls learning of his defeat with « stupeur ».
For 2026, De La Chesnais is running again without RN endorsement this time, while the party supports another candidate. Former mayor Francis Adolphe also seeks a comeback. These far-right divisions could benefit Andrieu in his bid for re-election.