French Municipal Elections 2026: First Round Voting Underway - News and Statistics

Mar 15, 2026

Voters in France are casting ballots in the initial phase of municipal elections. Approximately 48.7 million citizens are eligible to participate across around 35,000 municipalities. Polling stations opened at 8:00 am in mainland France and Corsica, with results not permitted for publication before 8:00 pm local time. Stations elsewhere will close between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

Voter turnout is considered a significant metric for this electoral event. The previous municipal election’s first round occurred under exceptional circumstances shortly before a nationwide pandemic lockdown, which impacted participation. Current abstention rates will be analyzed for indications of democratic engagement. French mayors are consistently ranked among the nation’s most trusted political figures in various surveys.

According to figures from the Interior Ministry, around 900,000 candidates are competing in the first round, across nearly 50,000 candidate lists. The outcome may be determined quickly in a majority of municipalities, with mayors expected to be elected in the first round in almost 32,000 locations. This is partly because 68% of municipalities have only one registered candidate list. Conversely, some cities feature intense competition, with Montpellier in southern France holding the record with 13 lists registered for the first round. In 68 municipalities, no candidates have come forward, leading to an interim administration appointed by the state’s local representative until new elections can be organised or, in some cases, until the municipality merges with a neighbouring one.

A notable pattern is a reduction in the number of incumbent mayors seeking re-election. A study indicates 63% of outgoing mayors are running again, a figure lower than in two previous election cycles. While many races may conclude quickly, several major cities are anticipated to have competitive second rounds. The contest in Paris to succeed the current mayor is predicted to be close, involving candidates from conservative and socialist parties. Uncertainty is also high in Marseille, Nice, Nantes and Toulouse, where several candidate lists are expected to qualify for the second round.

For several political parties, the elections carry considerable weight. The Greens aim to defend major urban centers they gained, while the President’s party continues to face challenges in building a robust local network nationwide. The far-right National Rally seeks to expand its local representation. Campaign dynamics have also been influenced by tensions between former allies within the left-wing coalition. Although these elections center on local governance issues, their national political significance is acknowledged ahead of the next presidential election.

1. INTRODUCTION
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
1. KEY FINDINGS
2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
3. MARKET OVERVIEW
Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects
1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
2. CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
3. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035
4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT
5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export
1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
2. PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
11. COUNTRY PROFILES

The Largest Markets And Their Profiles

This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition
PRO
1. 11.1
  United States
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
2. 11.2
  China
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
3. 11.3
  Japan
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
4. 11.4
  Germany
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
5. 11.5
  United Kingdom
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
6. 11.6
  France
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
7. 11.7
  Brazil
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
8. 11.8
  Italy
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
9. 11.9
  Russian Federation
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
10. 11.10
  India
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
11. 11.11
  Canada
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
12. 11.12
  Australia
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
13. 11.13
  Republic of Korea
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
14. 11.14
  Spain
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
15. 11.15
  Mexico
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
16. 11.16
  Indonesia
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
17. 11.17
  Netherlands
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
18. 11.18
  Turkey
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
19. 11.19
  Saudi Arabia
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
20. 11.20
  Switzerland
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
21. 11.21
  Sweden
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
22. 11.22
  Nigeria
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
23. 11.23
  Poland
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
24. 11.24
  Belgium
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
25. 11.25
  Argentina
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
26. 11.26
  Norway
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
27. 11.27
  Austria
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
28. 11.28
  Thailand
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
29. 11.29
  United Arab Emirates
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
30. 11.30
  Colombia
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
31. 11.31
  Denmark
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
32. 11.32
  South Africa
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
33. 11.33
  Malaysia
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
34. 11.34
  Israel
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
35. 11.35
  Singapore
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
36. 11.36
  Egypt
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
37. 11.37
  Philippines
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
38. 11.38
  Finland
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
39. 11.39
  Chile
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
40. 11.40
  Ireland
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
41. 11.41
  Pakistan
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
42. 11.42
  Greece
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
43. 11.43
  Portugal
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
44. 11.44
  Kazakhstan
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
45. 11.45
  Algeria
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
46. 11.46
  Czech Republic
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
47. 11.47
  Qatar
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
48. 11.48
  Peru
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
49. 11.49
  Romania
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
50. 11.50
  Vietnam
  - Market Size
  - Production
  - Imports
  - Exports
LIST OF TABLES
1. Key Findings In 2025
2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
4. Per Capita Consumption, by Country, 2022–2025
5. Production, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
6. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
7. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
8. Import Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
9. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
10. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
11. Export Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
LIST OF FIGURES
1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
3. Consumption, by Country, 2025
4. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
5. Market Value Forecast to 2035
6. Market Size and Growth, By Product
7. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
8. Exports and Growth, By Product
9. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
10. Production Volume and Growth
11. Exports and Growth
12. Export Prices and Growth
13. Market Size and Growth
14. Per Capita Consumption
15. Imports and Growth
16. Import Prices
17. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
18. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
19. Production, by Country, 2025
20. Production, In Physical Terms, by Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
21. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
22. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
23. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025
24. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
25. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
26. Import Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
27. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
28. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
29. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025
30. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
31. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
32. Export Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

Tags

French Municipal Elections 2026: First Round Voting Underway – News and Statistics