Politics and elections: What's new in France in 2026

Elections

Municipal elections will be held across France on March 15 and 22. They will result in new mayors in at least one third of communes, as many existing mayors have announced they will not stand again, including Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo. French and EU citizens will be able to vote.

These elections will also see small communes of fewer than 1,000 residents following the same voting rules as larger ones, including lists balanced by gender, and no more use of panachage, whereby it was possible to strike out some names and add others.

Senatorial elections, for half the Senate, are also due in September. Senators are elected by MPs and local councillors rather than by the general public.

Marine Le Pen’s appeal against her conviction for misappropriating European Parliament funds is due to be heard on January 13 . If the conviction is overturned, she could be eligible to run in the 2027 presidential elections.

Brexit reset

The UK and EU will hold a second ‘reset’ summit, probably in the spring, which also coincides with the opportunity for a five-year review of the Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). 

Topics such as a planned youth experience visa, the UK’s association with the Erasmus+ university and work-placement exchange scheme, and an easing of plant and animal health checks – which could also see a return of UK pet passports – are likely to be discussed.

G7 group

France holds the presidency of the G7 group this year. On June 14–16 it will host a summit at Evian-les-Bains (Haute-Savoie).