Rassemblement National
France's 2026 municipal election campaign opens with over 50 000 candidate lists
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The official campaign for France's 2026 municipal elections began on March 2, featuring over 50 000 lists and 900 000 candidates across 34 944 communes. Despite parity mandated by a 2025 law, more than three-quarters of the lists are led by men. The votes are scheduled for March 15 and 22.
As the 2026 municipal elections approach, the Rassemblement National (RN) aims to capture dozens of cities, signaling a shift in its local implantation strategy. This goal comes against a historical backdrop where the party, founded in 1972, focused primarily on presidential races under Jean-Marie Le Pen. Marine Le Pen has driven changes to build the movement's territorial legitimacy.
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In Rognac, Bouches-du-Rhône, the Rassemblement National's takeover in late November 2024 faces criticism after sixteen months. Five deputies resigned on February 4, denouncing a lack of consultation and democratic drifts. Complaints of harassment and dismissals question the party's promised exemplary 'method'.
Marine Le Pen, facing judicial troubles, believes Jordan Bardella can win the 2027 presidential election in her place. The RN group president in the National Assembly expresses strong confidence in her potential successor, despite criticisms of his experience. She will be tried on appeal from January 13 to February 12, 2026, in the European parliamentary assistants case of the FN.
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No one in Paris dares consider Marseille flipping to the Rassemblement National in the 2026 municipal elections. Yet, this scenario remains possible, with the key in the hands of La France Insoumise. Maintaining the LFI list in the second round could favor the RN candidate's election.
Jordan Bardella, president of the Rassemblement national, began a book promotion tour in Bruay-la-Buissière, Pas-de-Calais, on October 29. This half-literary, half-political initiative comes just months before municipal elections. Despite the rain, a long queue formed to meet him.
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On LCI Sunday evening, Jordan Bardella, president of the Rassemblement National, ranked his political rivals by various qualities while advocating for France to become 'the most repressive country in Europe' against delinquency. He praised François-Xavier Bellamy's intelligence and Jean-Luc Mélenchon's eloquence, despite ideological clashes. Bardella also named inspiring historical figures like de Gaulle and Napoleon.
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