Following the first round of the 2026 municipal elections, the Parti Socialiste (PS) and Les Écologistes allied with La France Insoumise (LFI) in several major cities except Paris and Marseille to counter right-wing victories in the runoff. These deals have drawn sharp criticism from right-wing and centrist opponents. PS leader Olivier Faure says he understands these local choices while denying any national agreement.
On March 16, 2026, the day after the first round of municipal elections marked by La France Insoumise (LFI)'s breakthrough, the left formed common fronts in numerous cities for the runoff, before the 6 p.m. deadline for list submissions. Alliances were announced in Toulouse, Lyon, Strasbourg, Nantes, Limoges, Avignon, Brest, and Clermont-Ferrand between PS or ecologist candidates and LFI, despite no national agreement between PS and LFI, which advocates an «antifascist front» against the right. In Paris and Marseille, no deals were made: Emmanuel Grégoire (PS) and Benoît Payan reject LFI, while Sophia Chikirou (LFI) maintains her list in Paris and protests urge left unity in Marseille against RN's Franck Allisio. These «technical» fusions draw fierce criticism. Gabriel Attal (Renaissance) states: «What was supposed to be impossible has become the rule. France more than ever needs democrats to stand tall, not kneel». Aurore Bergé calls it a «betrayal of the Republic», Bruno Retailleau «shame and dishonor», François-Xavier Bellamy an «indecent renunciation», and Marine Le Pen deems the left «the most hypocritical on earth». On France 2, Olivier Faure affirms: «I perfectly understand the choices» of PS candidates, without lumping all Insoumis with Jean-Luc Mélenchon, criticized for antisemitic remarks, and vows to suspend lists if antisemitic statements are found. François Hollande and Raphaël Glucksmann refuse any deal with LFI.
