France’s Socialists tighten grip on four major cities in municipal elections

• France's municipal elections concluded with clear gains for traditional left and right parties, as Socialists strengthened their hold on several major cities.
• Socialist candidate Emmanuel Grégoire won the Paris mayoral race, succeeding fellow party member Anne Hidalgo in the French capital.
• The far-right secured a significant victory in Nice, with Eric Ciotti, allied with Marine Le Pen's National Rally, taking control of the city.
• Despite the win in Nice, the far-right did not achieve a wider breakthrough, losing in key target cities including Marseille, Nîmes, and Toulon.
• The elections, which saw a turnout of just over 48 per cent at 5pm local time, were widely viewed as a crucial test of the balance of power ahead of the 2027 presidential race.

IN FULL

France’s Socialists secure wins in major cities as far-right struggles for big breakthrough