Marseille pops up in local elections and drug-violence protests as France’s left holds Paris, others shift; big city, big history.
On March 22, 2026, France concluded the second round of municipal elections in about 1,500 communes. Emmanuel Grégoire, Socialist candidate, won the Paris mayoralty, succeeding Anne Hidalgo. The left retained Marseille, while the far-right National Rally (RN) made gains in smaller southern cities like Perpignan and Nice. Voter turnout was 57%, the lowest since 2020, reflecting political disengagement ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
French municipal elections saw mixed results, with far-right gains in Marseille and Perpignan, and left-wing advances in Paris and Saint-Denis. Strategic alliances and voter turnout are shaping the runoff, as parties navigate low engagement and fragmentation ahead of the 2027 presidential race. Results highlight shifting political dynamics.
Liverpool overturned a first-leg deficit with goals from Szoboszlai, Ekitike, Gravenberch, and Salah, setting up a quarter-final against PSG. The match featured key injuries, missed chances, and Salah's 50th Champions League goal. Liverpool's win signals a resurgence ahead of their next challenge.
Recent local elections across France, Slovenia, and Italy show a slowdown in far-right gains, with mainstream parties performing better than expected. Key cities like Paris and Marseille remain contested, highlighting the complex political landscape ahead of 2027 presidential votes.
On April 15, 2026, rapper Ye has postponed his June 11 concert in Marseille following bans from the UK and opposition in France due to his antisemitic remarks and Nazi imagery. The UK government has blocked his entry, leading to the cancellation of the Wireless Festival in London. Ye has apologized publicly and expressed a desire to make amends, but controversy continues.
More than 160 activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have been taken to Crete after Israeli forces intercepted the vessels in international waters. Organisers say 168 crew members have been moved to Greek boats, with 22 ships intercepted and 47 still at sea. The United States has warned of consequences for supporters, while European states express concern over international-law questions surrounding the detentions.
The Giro d'Italia has continued with stage updates from Bulgaria and Italy. Guillermo Thomas Silva remains in pink, while Paul Magnier has won a sprint on the opening Bulgarian stage and Giulio Ciccone moves into the overall lead ahead of tougher climbs on Stage 4.
France has seen multiple developments reshaping the 2027 presidential contest: Edouard Philippe has had a judicial inquiry opened over a 2020 Le Havre digital-hub contract; Reuters has reported a suspected disinformation campaign tied to a shadowy firm called BlackCore; and public rows between Kylian Mbappé and National Rally figures are intensifying the political debate.