ISTANBUL

Far-right National Rally (RN) and the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) gained momentum in Sunday's municipal elections, widely seen as an early gauge of support ahead of France’s 2027 presidential race.

Under France’s two-round electoral system for municipal elections, a list that wins more than 50% of the vote in the first round secures victory outright. Lists receiving at least 10% of the vote advance to a runoff scheduled for next Sunday.

While claiming reelection in several municipalities, far-right candidates are leading in more than 60 cities including Nice, Nimes and Toulon and are running neck and neck in Marseille, according to broadcaster BFM TV.

However, RN struggled to make significant breakthroughs in many of France’s largest urban centers outside the southeast.

Meanwhile, LFI recorded notable gains in several cities. The party made strong showings in Lille, Saint-Denis and Toulouse while also qualifying for the second round in major cities including Paris, Lyon, and Marseille.

Left-wing lists excluding LFI remained ahead in several large cities such as Paris, Lyon, Lille, Dijon, Bordeaux, Nantes, Tours, Strasbourg, Saint-Etienne, Montpellier, and Villeurbanne.

In Paris, united-left candidate Emmanuel Gregoire led the first round with about 38% of the vote, ahead of right-wing rival Rachida Dati with roughly 25%.

Five candidates -- including LFI’s Sophia Chikirou and far-right Reconquete candidate Sarah Knafo -- qualified for the second round in the capital.

The French Interior Ministry said voter turnout reached about 48.9% by 5 pm local time (1500GMT).

The vote is closely watched as a test of political momentum ahead of the 2027 presidential election, when President Emmanuel Macron will not be eligible to run again.