What you need to know about France's 2026 local elections

PUBLISHED Monday, March 9, 2026 · © reuters/jean-paul pelissier, rfi

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⬤ France holds 2026 local elections on March 15-22, marking a key test for the far-right National Rally ahead of next year's presidential election.
⬤ The two-round ballot will assess the strength of the RN and potential alliances in a fragmented landscape.
⬤ The elections come as France grapples with high levels of unemployment and economic discontent.