‘Unpleasant surprises’: Will key French cities elect far-right mayors?

France's local elections, concluding Sunday, are testing whether the far-right National Rally party can translate recent national gains into control of major cities, a result officials have warned could produce "unpleasant surprises." The vote comes ahead of next year's presidential race and reflects a deeply fractured French political landscape where traditional centrist and left-wing coalitions have lost ground. A far-right takeover of key municipalities would signal the party's deepening penetration beyond its rural strongholds and into urban centers of political power. The elections serve as a crucial barometer of voter sentiment as France heads toward its next presidential contest, where far-right strength has already reshaped the political debate. Strong far-right performances in cities would give the National Rally both local platforms and momentum for the presidential race.