PARIS – A united left list, led by socialist Emmanuel Grégoire and notably excluding La France Insoumise (LFI), is poised to lead the first round of the 2026 municipal elections in Paris, surpassing Rachida Dati’s right-wing candidacy. This projection comes from a recent Ipsos poll conducted for Le Parisien, as reported by AFP.
Quadrangular Contest on the Horizon?
The poll, published this Saturday, suggests that four lists are in a position to qualify for the second round in March 2026, potentially setting the stage for a quadrangular contest.
An alliance list spearheaded by Emmanuel Grégoire, backed by the Ecologists and the Communist Party – currently under negotiation – is projected to secure 32% of the votes in the first round. This places them ahead of the list led by LR candidate Rachida Dati, who is supported by MoDem, and is expected to garner 27% of the vote.
In contrast, an Ifop poll released last November showed the Minister of Culture and Mayor of the 7th arrondissement, Rachida Dati, leading with the same score. At that time, her socialist rival, the former first deputy to outgoing Mayor Anne Hidalgo, was credited with 20% to 22% of voting intentions, depending on various left-wing unity strategies.
The Ipsos survey further indicates that Rachida Dati’s list significantly outpaces that of Horizons candidate Pierre-Yves Bournazel, who is supported by Renaissance and is credited with 14% of voting intentions. Sophia Chikirou, leading the LFI list, is projected to receive 13%.
Tensions Between Socialists and Ecologists
A merger between the LFI and Socialist lists appears unlikely. Sophia Chikirou explicitly stated at the end of November that “a socialist should not be mayor of Paris,” highlighting ongoing friction within the broader left-wing political landscape in the capital.
The current negotiations for a united left front, excluding LFI, signify a strategic realignment among some left-wing parties in Paris. Emmanuel Grégoire, a prominent figure within the Socialist Party, is attempting to consolidate support from other key left-leaning factions to present a formidable challenge in the upcoming elections. The exclusion of LFI from this potential alliance underscores ideological and strategic differences that continue to shape Parisian politics.
Rachida Dati, representing the conservative Républicains (LR) and backed by MoDem, remains a strong contender. Her consistent performance in various polls highlights the enduring support for right-wing policies in certain segments of the Parisian electorate. However, the latest Ipsos poll suggests a shift in momentum, with the united left gaining ground.
The 2026 municipal elections are anticipated to be a closely watched contest, with the political landscape in Paris undergoing significant shifts. The strategies adopted by each major political bloc in the coming months, particularly regarding alliances and candidate positioning, will be crucial in determining the ultimate outcome.
Source: https://fr.news.yahoo.com/municipales-%C3%A0-paris-sondage-place-203044608.html
