France's radical left party, La France Insoumise (LFI), led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, is poised to win the mayoral election in Roubaix, a former textile hub now the poorest town in mainland France. The final round of voting on Sunday is seen as a key test ahead of next year's presidential election.
LFI candidate David Guiraud, who has been the town's MP since 2022, secured over 46% of the vote in the first round. Roubaix, with a population of 100,000, is currently run by the right. A victory would boost Mélenchon's expected fourth presidential bid, positioning him as a main opponent to the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen.
Roubaix's stark inequality—46% of residents live below the poverty line and youth unemployment reaches 50% in some areas—has fuelled support for LFI's anti-inequality message. The town is also the birthplace of luxury goods magnate Bernard Arnault, France's richest man.
The strong local election performance comes despite recent controversy over Mélenchon's comments about Jewish names, which drew accusations of antisemitism from the Socialist party and others. Mélenchon apologised, denying any antisemitic intent. He also faced criticism for not condemning street violence by antifascist groups after the killing of a far-right activist in Lyon.
Despite these controversies, polls show Mélenchon's electoral base, including young people and multicultural urban voters, remains solid. LFI's first substantial local election campaign, after a decade focused on national politics, suggests the party's support is firm.
