French municipal elections to take place in March 2026

Six years after the previous poll disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, French voters will head to the polls on March 15 and 22, 2026, to renew their mayors and councilors. An interactive guide explains local voting procedures. Voters will also elect community councilors.

The 2026 municipal elections signal a return to the ballot box for French citizens, following a six-year cycle interrupted by the 2020 health crisis. On Sundays, March 15 and 22, women and men voters will renew not only their mayors but also municipal and community councilors, crucial for intermunicipal operations.

This poll introduces several innovations, though precise details vary by commune. An interactive tool from Le Monde's Décodeurs allows users to input their commune's name for tailored explanations on voting procedures. This covers local specifics, such as the number of rounds or councilor election rules.

The 2020 vote was marked by postponements and adjustments due to the pandemic, curbing traditional campaigns. For 2026, organizers expect stronger turnout, emphasizing accessibility and transparency. The guide aims to inform citizens ahead of time, promoting better understanding of local stakes.

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Illustration of a lively French town square gearing up for the 2026 municipal elections, with politicians campaigning before a historic town hall, highlighting high stakes for the Senate.
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The stakes of France's 2026 municipal elections

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As the March 2026 municipal elections approach, French political parties are gearing up, with repercussions for the September senatorial vote. A collective launches tools to promote social parity, while the National Rally adopts a cautious strategy. These elections will shape the Senate's makeup.

France's municipal elections on March 15 and 22, 2026, loom as a key test for local democracy, one year before the presidential vote. They may reveal rising abstention rates signaling distrust in elected officials and point to the far right's growing influence. Mayors, the most popular figures, handle vital issues like housing and transport.

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Paris's municipal elections, scheduled for March 15 and 22, 2026, introduce a new voting system that breaks with tradition. Adopted in 2025 at the urging of Rachida Dati, the reform allows voters to cast separate ballots for their arrondissement and the central city hall. This change, amid the capital's other peculiarities, opens unexpected prospects in the race for City Hall.

David Lisnard, mayor of Cannes, declared his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election on January 21 on RTL. This announcement comes amid a proliferation of contenders against the Rassemblement National, making the outcome uncertain. Political decomposition favors personal ventures, notes chronicler Solenn de Royer.

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The French government canceled Thursday the debates scheduled for Friday and Monday at the National Assembly on the 2026 budget bill, postponing them to Tuesday, when it may opt for Article 49.3 or ordinances to pass the text without a vote. This decision follows what Matignon calls 'continuous sabotage' by RN and LFI deputies, making adoption by vote impossible. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will present proposals Friday to attempt a compromise and avoid censure.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's administration maintains its threat to dissolve the National Assembly if censured over the Mercosur deal or 2026 budget, with snap elections prepared alongside March municipals to deter PS and LR support for opposition motions. As previously reported, Hollande and Barnier criticize the tactic; PS confirms no censure backing and eyes Monday budget talks.

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On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the French National Assembly will consider a government amendment to suspend the 2023 pension reform, which raises the legal retirement age to 64, until the 2027 presidential election. This measure, included in the 2026 Social Security financing bill, marks a concession to the left to secure the budget. However, La France Insoumise opposes the suspension, demanding full repeal.

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