Commentators of all shades see these developments as a sign of Mélenchon’s growing confidence ahead of next year’s presidential election, his aim being to become the main depository of left-wing votes ahead of a run-off against Marine Le Pen or the RN’s president Jordan Bardella.
Not every city has seen an all-left pact. In Paris, the Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire refused an alliance with LFI candidate Sophia Chikirou, who remains in the race.
Meanwhile, right-winger Rachida Dati has benefited from the withdrawal of candidates from the centre and far-right, and in the polls is nudging at Grégoire’s lead.
In Marseille the incumbent, Socialist Benoît Payan, has been boosted by the withdrawal of the LFI candidate, while his close challenger from the RN, Franck Allisio, is hindered by an LR candidate leaching right-wing votes.
The RN is as ever limited by its enemies’ willingness to unite against it, as in Marseille and neighbouring Toulon.
The hard right’s best hopes of a breakthrough are in Nice where Eric Ciotti, of the RN’s allied UDR party, looks set for a win against the incumbent Christian Estrosi.
For centrists the best news has been the strong first round performance of former prime minister Edouard Philippe, who is likely to win in Le Havre – giving a big boost to his presidential ambitions next year.
