French Mayors Enjoy Record Trust Ahead of 2026 Elections
Survey indicates overwhelming public trust in mayors ahead of municipal elections.
Key Points
- • 69% of French citizens trust their mayors, the highest among political figures.
- • 60% of outgoing mayors were re-elected in 2020, with trends suggesting this will continue in 2026.
- • 58% of respondents want their current mayor to run again.
- • Mayors' popularity is linked to perceived honesty and accessibility.
A recent survey shows that mayors are the most trusted political figures in France, with 69% of citizens expressing confidence in their local leaders ahead of the 2026 municipal elections. This trust far exceeds the confidence placed in national politicians, where only 42% trust deputies and a mere 22% trust the Prime Minister and his government. The Ipsos survey, conducted for the Association of French Mayors (AMF), highlighted that the propensity for re-election among mayors remains strong; in the 2020 elections, 60% of outgoing mayors were re-elected, a trend expected to continue as many voters express satisfaction with their current leaders.
Martial Foucault from Cevipof attributes the mayors' enduring popularity to their perceived honesty, accessibility, and effective public service. In fact, 58% of respondents reported a desire for their current mayor to run for re-election, indicating a robust preference for incumbents. These findings underline a stark contrast between local and national political dynamics in France, suggesting that while mistrust looms over national politicians, local mayors retain a favorable standing with the electorate as the 2026 elections draw near.