Côme Dunis

Côme Dunis, a 36-year-old former 'gilet jaune' (yellow vest) protest figure, has been elected mayor of Montargis, a city in the Loiret department, France. He ran on the Rassemblement National (RN) ticket, positioning himself against what he termed "communism." His victory in the 2026 municipal elections marks the first time the RN has held the mayoral office in the Loiret. Montargis, a city impacted by the 2023 urban riots, saw Dunis's election as a rejection of the previous political establishment. The election is newsworthy because it signifies the continued implantation and growing influence of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella's RN party in French local politics. The event has sparked division among Montargis residents, with some expressing concerns that his leadership will foster a climate of hate, while others likely supported his platform of change.