Right-Center Alliance Talks Continue in Nantes Ahead of 2026 Municipal Elections

Negotiations between right-wing and centrist parties in Nantes are ongoing as they prepare for the 2026 municipal elections. Foulques Chombart de Lauwe's recent primary victory for The Republicans (LR) has complicated the planned alliance with centrist forces, who had anticipated a different candidate. Despite these challenges, the alliance remains possible. Sarah El Haïry, high commissioner for children, withdrew her candidacy and appears to support Chombart, potentially easing coalition efforts.

Valérie Oppelt, appointed as the Renaissance party’s municipal lead, met with Chombart to gauge his intentions, emphasizing coalition-building over an outright merger. Chombart highlighted that 80% of their positions align, signaling a foundation for unity. However, some local centrist councilors express reservations about Chombart's right-wing orientation, with calls for El Haïry to lead instead.

The broader national political context is also influential. The local mayor and Socialist Party candidate, Johanna Rolland, remains a significant contender, while ongoing tensions within the right-wing – including divisions between deputies and party leaders over policy issues like pension reform – may affect local alliance dynamics. These factors make the political landscape in Nantes ahead of the elections uncertain but open to collaboration between right and center factions to challenge the left, which has governed since 1989.