Security is the most important topic for French voters ahead of the March local elections – indicated by 47% to 55% of respondents across various polls. At the same time, 59% of those surveyed positively assess the atmosphere of community life in their municipality, although these feelings vary by region. Access to healthcare ranks second among priorities, and local tax policy third. The elections will be held on March 15 and 22.
Security Main Priority
Between 47% and 55% of French people believe that security and fighting crime should be the most important task for future mayors. This topic is particularly important for residents of large urban areas and the Grand Est and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions.
Positive Assessment of Community Life
59% of respondents positively assess the atmosphere of community life in their municipality. The most satisfied are residents of rural areas (67%) and the Brittany region (67%), while in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Paris this share falls below half.
Other Electoral Priorities
After security, French voters are most concerned with issues of access to healthcare and local tax policy. Less than a quarter of those surveyed mention education, nurseries, schools, road traffic, adaptation to climate change, public transport, or cultural life.
Public security is the most important campaign topic ahead of the upcoming local elections in France, which will be held on March 15 and 22. According to a poll by the Elabe institute for BFMTV, 47% of French people believe this should be the main task for future mayors. Other research, conducted by Odoxa for the ICI network, even points to 55% of such responses. The security issue is particularly important for residents of large urban areas and the Grand Est and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions. At the same time, a majority of French people positively assess the atmosphere of community life in their towns. 59% of respondents believe that "vivre-ensemble" – or community living – functions well. These feelings, however, vary greatly by territory. Rural residents are the most satisfied (67%), as are residents of Brittany (67%). In regions such as Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur or Paris, the share of positive assessments falls below 50%. In some departments, like Haute-Marne or Vosges, over 80% of those surveyed rate community life well, while in Bouches-du-Rhône, Marne, or Alpes-de-Haute-Provence – less than half. After security, the second most important priority for French voters is access to healthcare, and the third is local tax policy. Issues of economic development and employment, as well as housing, also rank high in the hierarchy. Less than a quarter of those surveyed mention education, nurseries and schools, road traffic and parking, adaptation to climate change, fighting pollution, public transport, and cultural life and community activities. The studies were published on February 25, less than three weeks before the first round of voting. Local elections in France, called "municipales," are held every six years. They are considered an important barometer of social sentiment and often precede national elections. The electoral system is a two-round proportional one, which favors the formation of local coalitions.
Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize the variation in assessments of community life depending on the region, pointing to problems in large cities. Conservative media focus on the dominant role of the security theme, interpreting this as a social demand for tough policies.