Left-Wing Coalition Seeks to Boost Campaign Momentum in Tight 2026 Paris Mayoral Race

The left-wing coalition for the 2026 Paris mayoral elections is working to generate campaign momentum as it approaches the March 15 and 22 ballots. On January 14, 2026, the coalition held its first major campaign meeting at La Bellevilloise with Emmanuel Grégoire, the Socialist Party (PS) candidate, at the helm. Despite having officially declared his candidacy nearly six years ago and being formally invested on June 30, 2025, Grégoire remains relatively unknown to Parisians.

The coalition has formed an unprecedented first-round alliance excluding La France insoumise (LFI) parties, aiming to unify the left-wing vote. However, current polls show a very close race between Grégoire and his main opponent, Rachida Dati from Les Républicains. This competition contrasts with previous elections, where former mayor Anne Hidalgo held a comfortable lead against Dati in January 2020.

The coalition's efforts focus on overcoming the challenge of insufficient public recognition of their candidate while fostering voter engagement for a successful outcome in March. The meeting signals the left's resolve to create a dynamic and cohesive campaign in what promises to be a highly contested mayoral race.