In Clermont-Ferrand, a historic left-wing stronghold, insecurity tied to narcotraffic is dominating the 2026 municipal election campaign. Socialist mayor Olivier Bianchi, seeking a third term, faces criticism from the right and far-right, which are uniting their efforts. Violent events in 2025 have heightened this central debate.
Clermont-Ferrand, a left-wing stronghold since 1919, is experiencing a tense municipal election campaign for 2026, dominated by insecurity. In 2025, a series of murders linked to narcotraffic shocked the Puy-de-Dôme prefecture, which benefits from the 'Villes de sécurité renforcée' program. In September, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau visited to announce additional resources to 'wage war' on narcotraffic.
Outgoing socialist mayor Olivier Bianchi is seeking a third term but must address accusations of laxity. The Rassemblement national (RN) candidate, retired Antoine Darbois, allied with the Union des droites pour la république (UDR), condemns the 'explosion of insecurity.' He proposes increasing municipal police numbers and arming them, arguing they should ensure not just tranquility but also security.
The right and center are uniting from the first round, while 'insoumis' and the far-right hope to capitalize on recent strong performances. In the 2024 European elections, RN garnered 19.9% of votes, Reconquête 4%, and in the June-July 2024 legislative elections, RN 23.7% in the first round. In 2020, the RN list led by Anne Biscos did not reach the second round. Darbois, little known locally, highlights his experience as a municipal elected official in Gerzat from 2014 to 2020, under the Les Républicains (LR) label.
