Toulon, a port city of 180,000 in southeastern France, is emerging as a key battleground in the upcoming municipal elections. The Rassemblement National (RN), Marine Le Pen’s party, sees Toulon as a prime target for conquest, benefiting from divisions among its rivals. However, the race for the mayor’s office is expected to be fiercely contested, with a complex political landscape and a history that looms large over the current campaign. The municipal elections are scheduled for March 15th and 22nd, 2026.
For the RN, success in Toulon hinges on connecting with the city’s identity and its residents. Laure Lavalette, the RN candidate and a current Member of Parliament, understands this well. She’s a regular attendee at RC Toulon rugby matches, a local institution, stating, “It’s good to go to Mayol, I’m really in contact with the people of Toulon.” This strategy reflects a broader approach of appealing to local pride and tradition, while simultaneously emphasizing concerns about security – a key issue for many voters. “The security of the people of Toulon is the primary concern. It’s time to rehire at least fifty municipal police officers,” Lavalette has asserted.
The appeal of the RN extends beyond the stadium. Sophie, a taxi driver in Toulon, expressed her frustration with perceived lawlessness, saying, “These guys with the faces of brigands, of mafiosi, I’ve had enough.” Roland, a Toulonnais of Albanian-American descent who identifies as an immigrant, stated he votes for the RN, formerly known as the Front National, because he believes the city has become less safe than it once was. “The Toulon we knew is not the Toulon of today. There is much less security. It has to change,” he said.
However, the RN’s ambitions are met with resistance and a cautious awareness of the past. The party previously controlled Toulon from 1995, under Jean-Marie Le Chevalier, a period some residents remember negatively. Michel, a Toulonnais, recalled that era as “calamitous… a total mistake. They fired the associations. And then, the clientelism… I had a friend whose father was a pied-noir. He was a complete ignoramus, and he ended up being elected to sports.” This history serves as a warning for some voters, highlighting the potential pitfalls of RN leadership.
A Divided Opposition and the Shadow of Past Scandals
Laure Lavalette acknowledges the past but insists she is not bound by it, stating, “But that was 30 years ago, I am not inheriting anything.” Her opponents are quick to point to the previous RN administration, however. Josée Massi, the current interim mayor, took office after the conviction of Hubert Falco (Horizons), who served as Toulon’s mayor for over 20 years. Massi emphasizes her focus on fiscal responsibility, arguing, “We spent 20 years recovering from that, but today, Toulon is the second least indebted city.” She contrasts her pragmatic approach with what she characterizes as Lavalette’s reliance on media appearances: “I believe in my project. The project is coherent, it is financed… I am more of a dossiers person. Laure Lavalette is ‘seen on TV’!”
The opposition is further complicated by internal divisions. While Hubert Falco has endorsed Michel Bonnus, a former RC Toulon rugby coach running as a Republican (LR), he has not fully backed Massi. Bonnus is actively courting voters who might be tempted by the RN, stating, “Our priority is the peripheral neighborhoods, because there is a feeling of abandonment.” This strategic move underscores the fragmented nature of the non-RN vote and the potential for Bonnus to siphon support from Massi.
A Pact and a Potential Shift in Power
Adding another layer of complexity, Bonnus and Massi have reportedly agreed to withdraw in favor of the other in a potential second-round runoff, a move intended to consolidate the anti-RN vote. However, there’s no guarantee this strategy will succeed in preventing the RN from gaining control of the city. The outcome of the election on March 22nd remains uncertain, with the RN currently leading in opinion polls, according to RFI’s reporting.
The stakes are high, not just for Toulon but for the RN’s broader ambitions. A victory in Toulon would be a significant symbolic and political win, demonstrating the party’s ability to govern beyond its traditional strongholds. The election will be closely watched as a barometer of the RN’s national appeal and its potential for future success. The city council will consist of 59 seats, while the metropolitan council will have 33, as outlined in Wikipedia’s overview of the 2026 Toulon municipal elections.
As the campaign enters its final weeks, the focus will likely remain on issues of security, local identity, and the legacy of past administrations. The outcome will depend on which candidate can best connect with the concerns of Toulonnais voters and offer a compelling vision for the city’s future. The next key date is March 15th, the first round of voting, which will provide the first indication of whether the RN is poised to reclaim Toulon after nearly three decades.
Stay tuned to time.news for continuing coverage of the French municipal elections and their implications for the country’s political landscape. Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below.
