France: Major victories for the RN are rare

In France’s two-round local elections, the far right performed well but within reasonable limits. That is the conclusion reached by several political and media commentators. For Libération, the results of the Rassemblement National are “anything but spectacular, even if they confirm a clear upswing for the party in small towns and the consolidation of its position in the municipalities it had already won in 2014 and 2020.”

The RN is represented in 310 municipalities with 3,019 seats on municipal councils, but continues to struggle to establish itself in urban areas and is failing to fully tap into its potential in rural areas. In the major cities, therefore, the left has continued to win by a clear margin.

For a detailed overview, we recommend the interactive map at Le Monde.