Nancy's 2026 Municipal Elections Stir Political Tensions and Voter Concerns

The upcoming 2026 municipal elections in Nancy are shaping up amid significant political dynamics and voter concerns, particularly on issues like security, health, and local taxes.

On December 13, Olivier Faure, the First Secretary of the Socialist Party (PS), inaugurated a new PS office in Meurthe-et-Moselle, attended by around fifty guests including Christian Eckert and Nancy's Mayor Mathieu Klein. Notably, Caroline Fiat, a former member of La France insoumise (LFI), was present but left early. This event highlighted the PS's clear stance of distancing from LFI, with Klein explicitly opposing any alliance with them for the upcoming elections and expressing satisfaction over the left's unity in Nancy confirmed by a coalition of PS, Europe Écologie Les Verts, and the French Communist Party.

Meanwhile, the opposition led by Laurent Hénart criticized Klein's administration for outdated proposals, particularly on city planning and traffic management. Hénart plans to announce his candidacy in January and has been actively challenging Klein on social media. Additionally, Lunéville's right-wing political arena is becoming competitive with three candidates, including Benoît Tallot, declaring their bids.

Amid these local political dynamics, voter sentiment in France shows strong concern about security, which tops the agenda for 50% of voters, followed by health and local taxes at 35%. According to a December 2025 Odoxa Mascaret barometer, interest in municipal elections has risen to 76%, a significant increase over recent months. Politically, 59% of respondents favor voting against LFI candidates to block them, while 44% would oppose candidates from Rassemblement National (RN). This anti-LFI stance is pronounced among RN, Les Républicains, and Renaissance voters.

National political figures display notable popularity variations: Jordan Bardella leads at 36%, Marine Le Pen follows at 34%, with Jean-Luc Mélenchon facing the highest rejection rate at 69%. President Emmanuel Macron's approval remains low at 21%, although Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's rating improved to 35%, likely due to effective management.

As Nancy approaches its municipal elections, these political rifts and voter priorities will significantly influence the electoral landscape, with the left aiming for unity against opposition challenges and a public increasingly focused on safety and fiscal issues.