The municipal elections in the Var department of southeastern France delivered a complex outcome for the Rassemblement National (RN), France’s far-right party led by Jordan Bardella. While falling short of its ambitious goal to capture several key towns, the RN significantly expanded its presence in local government, creating a “paradoxical” feeling, as described by Frank Giletti, the party’s regional leader. The results, announced on March 22nd, reveal a nuanced picture of gains and setbacks for the RN as it seeks to consolidate its support base ahead of potential national elections.
Giletti had openly hoped to secure at least three new mayoralties, with Toulon as the primary target. The party pinned its hopes on Laure Lavalette, a National Assembly deputy, to win the city, anticipating a close race. However, incumbent Josée Massi, running on a center-right platform, ultimately prevailed. Despite this setback, Giletti struck a cautiously optimistic tone, noting Lavalette’s strong showing – securing over 48% of the vote – as a significant achievement. He argued that the campaign resonated with voters, even in defeat. “It’s a half-full glass of champagne,” he said.
A Mixed Bag of Results Across the Var
The RN’s performance across the Var was uneven. While the party topped the polls in ten communes during the first round of voting, it failed to convert that initial momentum into victories in four of those towns – Saint-Maximin, Solliès-Pont, and Le Beausset among them. This outcome suggests the impact of what observers are calling a “republican front,” where voters from across the political spectrum united to block the RN from taking power. Disappointment was particularly acute in Draguignan, where RN deputy Philippe Schreck lost to the incumbent right-wing mayor, Richard Strambio, and in Roquebrune-sur-Argens, where Julie Lechanteux also fell short.
of the six RN deputies who ran as candidates, three ultimately failed to secure mayoralties. This contrasted with the significant national effort put behind the campaign in recent weeks. Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella personally invested in the Var elections, sending personalized video messages to candidates and urging voters to deliver a “memorable defeat” to President Emmanuel Macron and his allies, framing the municipal elections as a stepping stone towards a “national alternative.”
Gains in Key Cities and a Stronger Regional Presence
Despite the setbacks in Toulon and other key races, the RN did achieve notable victories. Renaud Muselier, the Renaissance party leader in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, acknowledged Massi’s win in Toulon but also conceded that the anticipated “RN wave” did not materialize. However, the RN’s gains were substantial in several areas. Frédéric Boccaletti secured a win in Six-Fours, defeating Jean-Sébastien Vialatte (LR) by a narrow margin of 21 votes. Perhaps more significantly, Dorian Munoz captured La Seyne, the department’s second-largest city, capitalizing on divisions within the right-wing opposition. Nice-Matin reported on the reaction to Massi’s victory, highlighting the resilience of the traditional right in the face of the RN’s challenge.
Giletti emphasized the historical nature of these gains, pointing to victories in Salernes and Signes, as well as a strong performance by Julien Argento in La Valette, who defeated the incumbent mayor Thierry Albertini. “We’ve never had so many communes,” Giletti stated, attributing the success to the party’s hard work and local implantation. He also expressed optimism about the RN’s growing presence within the Métropole, even while acknowledging the party’s diminished chances of securing the presidency of TPM (Toulon Provence Méditerranée).
The RN had already secured three victories in the first round: the re-election of David Rachline in Fréjus, the election of Guillaume Decard in Puget-sur-Argens, and the election of a mayor in a central Var town who was a registered RN member, though not officially declared as such. This brings the total number of far-right mayors in the Var to eight, with additional council members affiliated with the RN across numerous other municipalities.
Looking Ahead to the Senate Elections
These municipal victories are expected to translate into a significant number of “grand electors” – individuals who will have a crucial role in the upcoming September elections for the Var’s four senators. The RN hopes to leverage this advantage to create a group within the Senate, increasing its influence at the national level. Giletti anticipates being able to “quantify the success of these elections” and is already considering potential candidates. “I’m going to think about it,” he said.
The municipal elections represent a significant, if incomplete, victory for the Rassemblement National in the Var. While the party did not achieve its most ambitious goals, it has demonstrably strengthened its position in local government, laying the groundwork for future electoral contests. The party’s ability to capitalize on these gains will be closely watched as France prepares for upcoming national elections. The next key date for the RN in the Var will be the selection of candidates for the September Senate elections, a process that will shape the party’s strategy and ambitions for the coming years.
This is a developing story. Readers seeking information on French elections and political parties can find resources at the French Ministry of the Interior website.
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