On Sunday to elect mayors in a ballot seen as a test of the strength of the far right. It may
also ascertain the resilience of mainstream parties ahead of next year's presidential
election. French President Emmanuel Macron was among the voters. Mayors across nearly 35,000
municipalities, from major cities to small villages, are France's most trusted elected
officials. Local results can shape national momentum, especially close to the presidential
election. Opinion polls show the far right National Rally party could potentially win next
year. National Rallies leader Jordan Bardella is the protege of Marine Le Pen, who is
appealing against an embezzlement conviction that will decide if she can run next year. The
party, which has an anti-immigration Eurosceptic agenda, has not made meaningful
gains in local elections so far, but security is voters' main priority in this vote,
according to polls. Also in line with national rallies' law and order focus in many medium to
large cities, there will be a second round of voting on March 22.