The Digester

After the March 18 municipal first round, the far-right National Rally posted stronger results in Champagne towns and rural areas, energizing party leaders even as cross-party runoffs threaten to limit major city wins.

On March 18 the National Rally won 31% in Epernay and narrowly trailed the incumbent in Châlons-en-Champagne.
The party also posted strong results in southern cities including Marseille (35%) and Toulon (42%), while outcomes in France's largest cities remain mixed.
Cross-party alliances are expected to block many National Rally victories in the runoffs scheduled for this Sunday.
In Reims the National Rally merged with a center-right list ahead of the runoff, prompting the expulsion of Les Républicains candidate Stéphane Lang.
Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella held a rally in Châlons-en-Champagne to present local gains as momentum for the 2027 presidential race while Le Pen's five-year election ban remains under appeal.

National Rally gains in Champagne boost 2027 presidential hopes

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