France’s far-right National Rally fell short of sweeping major cities in Sunday’s local elections but claimed it had strengthened its grassroots base ahead of the pivotal 2027 presidential race.

The party, led by Marine Le Pen, is widely seen as a frontrunner in the upcoming election for the presidency at the Élysée Palace. Analysts view the municipal vote as a key indicator of whether the party’s anti-immigration platform continues to resonate with voters nationwide.

Results from the elections painted a mixed picture. The party’s most notable success came in Nice, where an allied candidate secured control of the Riviera city, France’s fifth largest. However, National Rally candidates were unable to capture other major southern strongholds, finishing second in key contests in Marseille, Toulon, and Nîmes.

Despite those losses, the party posted strong vote shares. In Marseille, one of France’s most diverse urban centers, it secured about 40% of the vote, while races in Toulon and Nîmes remained highly competitive.

Party leaders emphasized gains at the local level, pointing to victories in several smaller and mid-sized municipalities, particularly in southern regions. These included Carcassonne, Agde, and Menton, building on an earlier first-round win in Perpignan.

Framing the results as progress, National Rally leaders argued that the party is consolidating support at the local level, positioning itself for a potential breakthrough in the 2027 presidential election.