The National Rally claimed victory in twenty-four municipalities and led in sixty others following the first round of French municipal elections.François Bayrou maintained his lead in Pau while the Socialist Party and its allies secured strong positions in major urban centers like Lille and Nantes.Party leaders are now negotiating alliances ahead of the March 22 runoff as the far right seeks to consolidate its local presence.High abstention rates were recorded in several districts including the nineteenth arrondissement of
Paris where
François Dagnaud remains the frontrunner.