Municipal Elections 2026: Between Merger and Continuation, Second Round Rules Reshape Strategies

Following the first round of the 2026 municipal elections, the results published Sunday evening have opened a new phase of negotiations. Between maintaining, merging and withdrawing, the lists must work within a precise framework before the official filing scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m.

The day after the first round of municipal elections, a series of rules strictly govern access to the second round and alliance possibilities. The second round schedule imposes a rapid pace. Lists have little time to position themselves. Discussions are intensifying in many cities.

To remain in the second round, a list had to achieve at least 10% of votes cast. This threshold constitutes the first step. A qualified list can decide to remain alone or engage in discussions with other parties. Lists that obtained between 5% and 10% cannot remain alone, but they can play a role in reshuffling.

Merger appears as a central lever. A list that has crossed the 10% threshold can include candidates from a list that obtained at least 5%. Two lists above 10% can also choose to unite. On the other hand, two lists below this threshold cannot merge with each other to access the second round.

These rules set a framework but leave room for adjustments. During a merger, the composition of the list can change. Candidates can be removed or added. The order can be modified. Parity and the total number of candidates must remain compliant with the law (69 in Nice: Editor’s note).

Political and tactical alliances

Mergers can respond to different logics. Some are based on a programmatic agreement. In this case, teams agree on common directions. Compromises are often necessary. Negotiations can focus on positions or political priorities.

Other mergers are said to be tactical. The objective is then to avoid dispersing votes. Lists choose to combine their electorates without necessarily sharing a detailed project. This strategy can lead to particular situations after the election. Some elected officials from these alliances may sit in opposition despite their presence on a joint list.

Withdrawal is another option. A qualified list can decide not to run. No agreement is then required. This choice implies a total absence of representation on the municipal council. It can affect the local political balance. Decisions made at this stage also influence senatorial elections, whose electors come from municipal councils.

The Nice example illustrates possible choices

In Nice, the results of the first round show a fragmented political landscape. The three lists of Eric Ciotti (43.43%), Christian Estrosi (30.92%) and Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux (11.93%) exceed the qualifying figures for the second round. A fourth, that of Mireille Damiano is between 5% and 10% with 8.95% of votes cast. Three other lists (Céline Forjonnel, Cédric Vella and Estelle Jaquet) remain below this threshold. They represent 4.77% of the votes from the first round.

Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux has already announced refusing any merger and has already filed her list. This decision reduces alliance possibilities for other players. The two main lists can still seek an agreement with smaller parties.

This case illustrates the diversity of strategies. Some candidates prioritize independence by seeking votes from abstainers (46.42% in the first round in Nice). Others seek to broaden their base. Each choice carries a risk.

Voters sometimes unpredictable

Political calculations do not guarantee a mechanical result. A merger does not mean an automatic addition of votes since each voter is free to make a different choice in the second round.

Electoral behavior can change. A list maintained without prospects of victory can lose some of its support depending on certain statements or actions. Conversely, an alliance may not convince all voters concerned by the party merging.

In this context, the coming hours are decisive. Lists must file their final composition before Tuesday at 6 p.m. This deadline marks the end of negotiations and will open the final phase of the campaign before voting on Sunday, March 22, 2026.