French parties scramble to make alliances ahead of local election runoffs

French political parties are negotiating alliances with defeated rivals ahead of Sunday's runoff elections, which will determine control of local governments including the Paris mayorship. The hard-left France Unbowed party is forming controversial coalitions with the Socialist party and potentially other groups in a scramble to consolidate anti-establishment or left-wing votes before the second round. These tactical alliances reflect the fragmented nature of French politics, where no single party commands a majority in many local races and candidates eliminated in the first round can throw their support to rivals. The Paris mayoralty is among the high-profile contests being decided in the runoffs, making the weekend negotiations critical for multiple parties seeking to expand their influence at the local level.