Nîmes Elections 2026: Latest Polls & Candidates to Watch

Nîmes Mayoral Race Tightens as Election Day Approaches

Nîmes, France – As the March 15th and 22nd municipal elections draw nearer, the race to succeed Jean-Paul Fournier as mayor of Nîmes is shaping up to be a closely contested battle. After 25 years of Fournier’s leadership, the city is poised for a new chapter, with several candidates vying for the position.

Two recent polls offer a snapshot of the current political landscape, though experts caution that these are merely indicators and not predictors of the final outcome. The elections will determine both the composition of the city council and the council for Nîmes Métropole.

First Poll Reveals Competitive Field

An initial poll, published by Objectif Gard on April 8, 2025, presented a scenario with six potential candidates. At that time, only Julien Plantier had formally announced his candidacy. The poll indicated that Vincent Bouget could garner 29% of the vote in the first round, followed closely by the Rassemblement National (RN) with 27%. Franck Proust was projected to receive 20%, while Valérie Rouverand, tested as a solo candidate, secured 16%, and a candidate representing La France Insoumise (LFI) received 8%.

However, the candidate lineup has since evolved. Pascal Dupretz is now running for LFI, Valérie Rouverand is partnering with Julien Plantier, with Plantier as the leading figure, and Julien Sanchez represents the RN.

Second Poll Confirms Tight Race

A second poll, released by Le Réveil du Midi on November 21, 2025, reinforced the competitive nature of the election. This poll suggested that Vincent Bouget could potentially secure 30% of the vote, with the RN at 25%, the alliance of Julien Plantier and Valérie Rouverand at 22%, and Franck Proust at 18%. LFI was projected to receive 5% of the vote.

However, the methodology of the Le Réveil du Midi poll came under scrutiny. The commission des sondages identified “major methodological shortcomings” and advised readers to interpret the results with caution.

Second Round Scenarios Remain Uncertain

Both polls explored potential outcomes for a second-round runoff. The April poll predicted a victory for Vincent Bouget with 37% of the vote, followed by the RN with 33% and Franck Proust with 30%. The November poll, however, suggested a narrow win for Franck Proust with 38%, edging out Vincent Bouget at 36%, with the RN trailing at 26%.

The differing projections highlight the uncertainty surrounding the election. The November poll’s second-round scenario tested Julien Plantier alone, rather than as part of his alliance with Valérie Rouverand, complicating direct comparisons.

Looking Ahead

New polls are expected in the coming weeks, offering a more up-to-date assessment of voter intentions as the election nears. Given the current data, a close contest between the left and the right appears likely, with the RN potentially playing a significant role. The outcome remains highly uncertain, and the race for Nîmes’ mayoral seat promises to be a closely watched event.