Josée Massi

Josée Massi is the incumbent mayor of Toulon, France. Affiliated with the 'divers droite' (DVD), a term used for candidates on the right who are not affiliated with a major party, she recently won re-election in the 2026 municipal elections. Massi's victory is newsworthy because she defeated Laure Lavalette, a candidate from the Rassemblement National (RN), a far-right party. Lavalette had led in the first round of voting, but Massi secured a win in the second round with over 53% of the vote. This outcome is significant as it prevented the RN from winning the mayoral election in Toulon, a scenario reminiscent of the 1995 elections where the FN (precursor to the RN) gained control of several municipalities. Massi's re-election is seen as a result of a 'barrage républicain,' a united front against the far-right, highlighting the ongoing political dynamics in France.