Toulouse Mayoral Race Tightens as Polls Indicate Potential Upset
– A new IFOP poll conducted for La Dépêche du Midi, Sud Radio, and Fiducial suggests a closely contested mayoral race in Toulouse, with incumbent Jean-Luc Moudenc facing a significant challenge from a unified left-wing opposition.
The poll, released , indicates that a united left-wing candidate, François Briançon, could potentially unseat Moudenc in the second round of voting, scheduled for . The first round is set for .
Historically, Toulouse, a city with a traditionally left-leaning electorate, has often elected mayors from the center-right. However, the current polling data suggests this pattern may be shifting. The IFOP survey reveals that the left currently holds a majority position heading into the first round.
According to the poll, a unified left-wing list led by François Briançon would garner 53% of the vote in a potential second-round matchup. This contrasts with 44% for Jean-Luc Moudenc and 24% for François Piquemal, representing the Insoumis, NPA, and Assemblée des quartiers.
The potential for a three-way contest in the second round sees Moudenc leading with 44%, followed by Briançon at 35%, and Piquemal at 24%. This scenario highlights the importance of consolidation within both the left and right-wing camps.
Frédéric Dabi, director general of IFOP, cautioned that the results should be viewed with prudence, particularly ahead of the first round. The dynamics of the race could shift significantly as voters make their final decisions.
The poll’s findings have been widely discussed on social media, with La Dépêche du Midi sharing a TikTok video summarizing the key results. The video highlights the tight race between Moudenc and Briançon in the first round, and notes Piquemal’s gains in voter support.
The outcome of the election remains uncertain, but the IFOP poll clearly demonstrates that Jean-Luc Moudenc’s bid for a third consecutive term is far from guaranteed. The ability of the left to unite behind a single candidate will be crucial in determining whether Toulouse will continue its recent trend of electing center-right mayors, or whether it will return to its left-leaning roots.
The survey underscores the high stakes of the upcoming municipal elections and the potential for a significant political shift in the city.
