Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan, a candidate for re-election, supported by left wing parties, votes in the first round of the French municipal elections, at a polling station in Marseille, France, March 15, 2026. REUTERS
PARIS, March 15 (Reuters) – Leftist incumbent mayor Benoit Payan is virtually tied with National Rally lawmaker Franck Allisio in the first round of the mayoral election in Marseille, France’s second-largest city, two exit polls showed on Sunday.
The far-right National Rally has targeted Marseille as a test of its strength ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Michel Rose
