Left-Wing Coalitions Unite for 2026 Municipal Elections in Saint-Etienne and Toulouse

In advance of the March 2026 municipal elections, significant left-wing coalitions are taking shape in the French cities of Saint-Etienne and Toulouse, signaling a strategic push to reclaim political power in both municipalities.

In Saint-Etienne, a leftist alliance is forming for the first time in 25 years. The coalition brings together a broad spectrum of left-wing parties including the Parti socialiste, Parti communiste, Ecologistes, Place publique, Génération.s, and Parti radical de gauche. Their campaign kickoff was approved over the recent weekend, with official campaigning activities starting December 1. This political mobilization follows the notable conviction of Gaël Perdriau, the former mayor, who was sentenced to four years in prison along with five years of ineligibility, creating a new context for the electoral battle in Saint-Etienne.

Meanwhile, in Toulouse, the socialists led by François Briançon and the ecologists led by Régis Godec are set to officially announce their alliance on December 3. This coalition includes nine parties, such as left radicals, communists, Place publique, and Génération.s, but notably excludes La France insoumise, which is running separately with deputy François Piquemal. The alliance aims to unseat incumbent Jean-Luc Moudenc from the Les Républicains party, who has been mayor since 2014. If successful, the Socialists would regain control of the Capitole, while the ecologists would assume the presidency of the metropolitan area that encompasses 36 municipalities surrounding Toulouse.

This time, the Toulouse coalition marks a departure from previous electoral strategies where La France insoumise and ecologists ran jointly, reflecting evolving dynamics within the left-wing political landscape. The Archipel citoyen group was among the last to join the coalition, demonstrating ongoing negotiations within the left factions.

These new left-wing electoral movements in both cities reflect a reinvigorated and broad coalition-building approach, seeking to capitalize on changing political circumstances and aiming for victories that could reshape local governance in key French urban centers.