Municipal 2026 dwell: polling stations open their doorways in mainland France | EUROtoday

On Mar 15, 2026

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Voters vote on Sunday for the primary spherical of municipal elections, a vote historically appreciated by the French. A vote which serves as a take a look at for the political forces one yr earlier than the presidential election. Follow all of the highlights of the day with our dwell stream.

03/15/2026 – 08:36

📰 To (re)learn on France 24: being mayor, “is being a shock absorber of popular anger”

03/15/2026 – 08:25

Uncertainty in regards to the extent of participation

The large unknown on this election: participation. It will definitely be considerably stronger than in 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic massively dissuaded voters, notably aged voters.

But will it’s sufficient to cease the sluggish erosion noticed from election to election (from 78.4% in 1983 to 63.6% in 2014), notably amongst younger individuals and residents of working-class neighborhoods?

The Interior Ministry will present provisional participation figures at 12 p.m. after which at 5 p.m.

03/15/2026 – 08:15

In Nice, virtually 1 / 4 of poll papers broken by rain

Tens of hundreds of poll papers for the primary spherical of municipal elections have been broken by rain on Saturday morning in Nice and an emergency reprinting was launched, the prefecture introduced, guaranteeing that the vote will happen usually on Sunday.

“The Alpes-Maritimes prefecture was informed by the City of Nice that around 20 to 25% of the bulletins were damaged by rain” on this city which was on yellow climate alert for rain and flooding, the prefecture mentioned in a press launch.

The information occurred throughout “transport between the storage location” and the polling stations, explains the prefecture.

However, “this situation does not call into question the organization of the first round” within the Riviera metropolis, which has 228,006 registered voters, assures the prefecture.

03/15/2026 – 08:03

Some 48.7 million voters known as to vote

Some 48.7 million voters, together with 358,000 European Union nationals, are anticipated to vote within the first spherical of municipal elections.

If a majority of municipalities will know their mayor from Sunday, the vote guarantees to be very unsure within the large cities and guarantees vigorous debates on the alliances between the 2 rounds.

03/15/2026 – 08:00

It’s 8 a.m. in mainland France, the polling stations open their doorways

After New Caledonia, Reunion and Mayotte, polling stations open at 8 a.m. in mainland France and can shut at 8 p.m. on the newest, the time at which the primary outcomes will be printed.

The poll, the second spherical of which will probably be held on March 22, goals to elect municipal councilors in some 35,000 municipalities for six years, who will then be requested to nominate their future mayor from amongst themselves.

03/15/2026 – 07:59

Good morning !

Welcome to this dwell broadcast devoted to the primary spherical of municipal elections in France.

If you missed the electoral marketing campaign, yow will discover the entire historical past of our articles in our file devoted to the 2026 municipal elections.

On this Sunday, March 15, voters in France are known as to vote in some 35,000 French municipalities for the primary spherical of municipal elections. The doable second spherical is about one week after the primary, i.e. March 22. Polling stations will probably be open from 8 a.m. to six p.m. in most municipalities. They solely shut at 8 p.m. in Paris, Marseille and Lyon.

Also learnFind our file on the 2026 municipal elections

Voters select their municipal councilors, elected for six years by direct common suffrage. The latter will elect the mayor of the commune.

Nearly 48.7 million voters are registered on the lists, round 2 million greater than in 2020, in accordance with INSEE. Among the 358,000 registered European foreigners, the Portuguese are essentially the most quite a few. Around 900,000 candidates introduced themselves within the first spherical, unfold over some 50,000 lists, in accordance with the Ministry of the Interior.

Nearly two thirds (63%) of outgoing mayors are standing for re-election, in accordance with a survey by the Sciences Po Political Research Center (Cevipof). A drop of virtually ten factors in comparison with 2014, the yr throughout which 72% of outgoing mayors stood for re-election. In 2020, they have been 69%.

Uncertain outcomes in large cities

In giant cities, beginning with Paris and Marseille, uncertainty dominates as to the result of the vote. The proper goals to place an finish to 25 years of domination by a nonetheless resistant left within the capital, whereas the National Rally (RN) hopes to please France’s second metropolis. The poll may even enable political events to measure their anchoring and their electoral dynamics with a view to the presidential election and the legislative elections of 2027.

The outcomes will probably be added to this all through the night based mostly on official knowledge.

https://www.france24.com/fr/france/20260315-municipales-2026-direct-premier-tour-elections-paris-marseille-participation