Nîmes

Nîmes is a city in France that recently held municipal elections in March 2026. These elections are newsworthy because they resulted in a significant political shift. After 25 years of right-wing governance, the city elected Vincent Bouget, a Communist, as its new mayor. This victory for the left was achieved after a close race, with Bouget's coalition defeating both the Rassemblement National (RN) and the outgoing right-wing alliance. The RN, despite making gains elsewhere, failed to win in Nîmes. In other news, the Paprec group and the director of its Nîmes site were convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with a fatal workplace accident in 2023. The company intends to appeal the decision. The municipal election results highlight a potential shift in the political landscape of Nîmes and the broader region.