Overview
- An AMF/Cevipof–Sciences Po survey of more than 3,700 mayors conducted online from October 1–29 finds about 58% intend to run in March 2026, up from 42% reported in April 2025.
- The top reasons cited are continuing local projects (79%) and serving the public interest (78%), with 73% of mayors under 35 planning to run versus 30% of those over 75.
- Pressures remain high as 65% report incivilities, 36% insults, 28% online attacks or threats, and 8% physical assaults, alongside over 400 mayoral resignations per year and roughly 57,000 councillor departures since 2020.
- Council climate matters: 62% intend to run where meetings are very peaceful versus 46% where they are judged aggressive, and about one‑third face a structured opposition that most view as detrimental.
- Campaign priorities center on access to healthcare, with elderly issues weighing far more in very small communes, while nearly nine in ten mayors rate municipal finances as healthy ahead of the March 15 and 22 elections.