Emmanuel Gregoire elected as new mayor of Paris

French Municipal Elections Yield Mixed Results

Emmanuel Gregoire has emerged as the winner of the Paris mayoral race, leading a list that united traditional left-wing parties and securing an estimated 51-53% of the vote in Sunday’s run-off elections. The results saw gains for the traditional left and right, while the far-right National Rally (RN) fell short of taking control of key cities.

Gregoire, who is set to become mayor of Paris, had campaigned on a promise to make the city a “city of refuge” and a “bastion against the right and the far right”. His victory came after a tight contest with Conservative rival Rachida Dati, who conceded defeat.

In other cities, Socialist Mayor Benoit Payan was on track to be re-elected in Marseille with 56.3% of the vote, while centre-right candidate Josée Massi led in Toulon with 53.5%. The RN’s chances were also boosted by wins in local constituencies where the party had previously had no presence.

Senior RN officials rejected suggestions that the party’s loss indicated it had hit a “glass ceiling” ahead of next year’s presidential election, instead hailing the results as a major breakthrough for the party. “The National Rally and its candidates have achieved tonight, in this municipal election, the biggest breakthrough in its entire history,” said RN chief Jordan Bardella.

Turnout at 5pm local time was just higher than 48% in France’s mainland, with four points lower than in 2014. The results will be closely watched ahead of next year’s presidential election.

Source: Al Jazeera