In France, local elections scheduled for March 15 and 22 (II turn) are coming. This is an crucial test before the presidential and parliamentary elections, but besides a preview of possible changes on the political stage. The largest cities of France are now ruled by the left. The large state of ownership of cities has Greens, Paris is commanded by socialists (Anne Hidalgo). But their regulation seems to be ending slowly.
According to a poll by Odoxa-Mascaret, published on Tuesday 24 February, conducted for the Public Sénat and regional press, most residents would like to change their mayors. Not long ago, due to the fact that in June 2025, a akin poll indicated that 52% of the respondents were in favour of leaving the incumbent mayor. Now it turns out that re-election, which usually goes without much difficulty, may be difficult. 3 weeks before the local government election, the majority of French (55%) would have preferred to have chosen individual another than the re-election of the current ruler of their city (44%).
This is an unprecedented situation, due to the fact that in the erstwhile local elections, the incumbent mer almost always had an advantage, and most of them did not want to change. Three-quarters of voters want to vote "based on issues circumstantial to their municipalities", but the percent of those who will vote primarily "based on national issues" increased by 5 percent points in 3 months, from 19% in November to 24% today. March local elections will so besides be a test for the ruling coalition.
There is inactive an erosion of the popularity of the current president, whom only for a minute were helped by anti-American declarations and the pomp of national compatriots. For 77% of French Emmanuel Macron is not a good president. For example, the popularity of the centre Prime Minister Sébastien Lecorn is now 11 percent points higher than the President. 34% of respondents consider him a good prime minister, compared with 23% of Emmanuel Macron's affirmative opinions.
For this, the popularity of organization president National Unity (NN), Jordan Bardella, who has a good chance of replacing Marine Le Pen in the race for presidency. It remains the most popular candidate for head of state with 35% public support. His popularity decreased somewhat and decreased by 2 percent points. He is ahead of a somewhat partymate and head of the RN Group in the Marine Le Pen Parliament, who inactive has legal problems with moving for president. Le Pen has lost 1 percent point since January and presently has 33% of affirmative reviews. The 3rd place for politicians is the erstwhile Prime Minister and presidential candidate, the centre of the politician Édouard Philippe and the Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, who have 28% of the support.
On the left the leader is Raphaël Glucksmann MEP from the Socialist Forum Place Publisher. However, the ranking of the popularity of French politicians only ranks 8th and as the most popular leftist politician has 22% of support. On this side of the political scene ahead of MP François Ruffin, founder of the "Debout!" movement (20%). Until recently, the undisputed left-wing grandstand and organization leader La France Insoumise (LFI), Jean-Luc Mélenchon has now become the most disliked political figure (71%). Behind him is Emmanuel Macron (58% of negative reviews), right-wing politician Éric Ciotti (UDR) and centre candidate for the Paris mayor Rachida Dati (they have ex aequo after 53% of negative electorate). Counting period to period changes are a fewer percent, but they show any trends. In this respect, local elections will be very interesting.
Bogdan Dobosh
