In 2002, divisions on the left allowed Jean-Marie Le Pen to shock France by reaching the run-off in that year’s presidential election. For its part, Ms Le Pen’s Rassemblement National party (RN) failed to achieve the trophy wins that it coveted in southern cities such as Marseille and Toulon. Ms Le Pen and the RN’s president, Jordan Bardella, could also point to breakthroughs in smaller towns. Ms Le Pen and Mr Bardella can count on support from swathes of disillusioned provincial France, and are putting down roots across the south. The most significant take-away from Sunday’s polls may be that progressive forces won, and won well, without him.

Source: The Guardian March 24, 2026 09:37 UTC