Paris Municipal Elections Heat Up as Bournazel Rejects Alliance with Dati, Sparking Party Tensions

Pierre-Yves Bournazel, general secretary of the Horizons party and Paris municipal councilor, has taken a decisive stance in the run-up to the March 2026 municipal elections by refusing to form an alliance with Rachida Dati from the Les Républicains party. Declaring on February 25, "I am campaigning to win," Bournazel aims to maintain his candidacy if he surpasses 10% in polling, positioning himself competitively as he currently holds third place. This move, endorsed by the Renaissance party and some Macronist allies, has stirred considerable internal strife within Horizons, drawing criticism from supporters of the Minister of Culture and raising questions about the overall campaign strategy.

The refusal to ally has also provoked a sharp public response from Edouard Philippe, leader of Horizons, exposing growing discord within the party ranks. Philippe’s reaction highlights amplified tensions and a "cacophony" amid efforts to navigate alliance strategies crucial for the second round of voting. This internal disagreement adds complexity to the center-right dynamics in Paris ahead of the municipal elections in March, potentially affecting the party’s electoral prospects.

Bournazel’s bold campaign posture aims at asserting independence and electoral strength, but the resulting party tensions underline the challenges faced by the center-right in uniting their forces effectively against competitors in the politically charged Paris municipal landscape.