François Bayrou, former prime minister, lost the second round of Pau municipal elections on March 22, 2026, to socialist Jérôme Marbot by 344 votes. Bayrou, who had led the city since 2014, received 41.14% of votes against 42.45% for his opponent.
On March 22, 2026, during the second round of municipal elections in Pau, François Bayrou (MoDem), 74 years old, suffered a defeat against Jérôme Marbot (PS). With 41.14% of votes, Bayrou trails by 344 votes behind Marbot, who garnered 42.45%. This outcome ends twelve years of centrist rule at Pau city hall, the Pyrenean stronghold of the Béarnais leader since 2014. The close vote count concluded just before 22:00, with Marbot claiming victory at 21:00. This setback comes six months after Bayrou's government fell on September 8, 2025, following a failed confidence vote at Matignon. In the first round on March 15, Bayrou led with 33.83%, but a three-way race emerged with Marbot, heading a left alliance excluding the Insoumis, and Margaux Taillefer (16.81%, RN). After the first round, Bayrou stated from the Pavillon des Arts: “We will have to fight.” On Sunday evening, addressing supporters, he said: “We are here to hold on and rebuild.”
