Overview
- Fifty‑eight percent of mayors say they intend to run in March 2026, up from 42% in April 2025 and 49% ahead of the 2020 vote.
- The survey was conducted online October 1–29 among more than 3,700 mayors by the AMF with Cevipof–Sciences Po.
- Mayors cite continuing local projects (79%) and serving the public interest (78%) as top motives, while those stepping aside most often point to reclaiming personal time (79%).
- Intent to run tracks with council climate, reaching 62% where meetings are described as very peaceful versus 46% where they are judged aggressive, a label used by only 8% of respondents.
- Stressors remain elevated, with more than 400 mayoral resignations per year, about 57,000 councillor departures since 2020, and widespread incivility reported by 65% of mayors, including insults (36%), online threats (28%) and physical assaults (8%).