French Municipal Elections 2026: A Snapshot of the Gard Department
The candidates for the municipal elections, scheduled for March 15th and 22nd, are now known. As of February 26th, lists have been filed in the three largest communes of the Gard department: Nîmes, Alès, and Bagnols-sur-Cèze. The elections will take place across 350 communes in the department.
A Diverse Field of Candidates
Across the Gard, 133 communes will see competition from at least two lists, while 185 will have only one. Trèves is unique, as it currently has no candidates registered. A notable 115 women are leading lists, representing approximately 20% of all lists. The lists include 96 foreign nationals from 13 different countries.
Nîmes: A New Era Begins
Nîmes is entering a new phase as Jean-Paul Fournier concludes his 25-year tenure as mayor. The race to succeed him features a contest between two former allies. Julien Plantier, previously the first deputy mayor, is leading the “L’avenir Nîmois” list with the support of Renaissance. He is challenged by Franck Proust, the current president of the Agglo, heading the “Tout Nîmes” list.
The candidates in Nîmes are:
- Julien Plantier (divers droite), “L’avenir Nîmois”
- Pascal Dupretz (LFI), “Nîmes écologique et solidaire”
- Julien Sanchez (RN), “Fiers d’être Nîmois !”
- Franck Proust (union de la droite), “Tout Nîmes”
- Vincent Bouget (union de la gauche), “Nîmes en commun”
Alès: The Most Contested City in the Gard
Alès stands out as the most competitive city in the Gard, with a record of six lists vying for the mayoralty. Incumbent Christophe Rivenq leads the majority list, but faces a challenge from Marc Infantès, a former member of the team led by previous mayor Max Roustan. The left is also divided, with multiple candidates seeking to represent their ideologies.
The candidates in Alès are:
- Christophe Rivenq (divers droite), “Liste Alès”
- Marc Infantès (divers droite), “Alès, moderne et authentique”
- Paul Planque (PCF), “Alès c’est vous !”
- Anthony Bordarier (RN), “Rassemblés pour Alès”
- Basile Imbert (union de la Gauche), “Alès commun”
- Jérôme Garcia (extrême gauche), “Lutte ouvrière – Le camp des travailleurs”
Bagnols-sur-Cèze: Five Candidates in the Running
In Bagnols-sur-Cèze, five lists have been validated. While Christophe Prévost and Jean-Marc Touron (Reconquête !) initially announced their intention to run, they ultimately did not submit lists.
The candidates in Bagnols-sur-Cèze are:
- Pascale Bordes (RN), “Sécurité et vitalité pour Bagnols !”
- Michel Cegielski (divers), “Pour Bagnols !”
- Jean-Yves Chapelet (divers centre), “Bagnols c’est vous !”
- Jérôme Jackel (divers gauche), “Bagnols-sur-Cèze en commun”
- Philippe Broche (divers), “Ensemble, changeons Bagnols !”
A complete list of candidates across all communes is available on the Gard prefecture’s website: https://www.gard.gouv.fr/contenu/telechargement/67110/493311/file/Annexe%20%20-%20Candidatures%20-%20Gard%20-%20Tour%201.pdf
FAQ
Q: When are the municipal elections in the Gard?
A: March 15th and 22nd, 2026.
Q: Which city has the most candidates?
A: Alès, with six lists.
Q: How many women are leading lists?
A: 115 women, representing around 20% of all lists.
Q: Where can I find a complete list of candidates?
A: On the Gard prefecture’s website: https://www.gard.gouv.fr/contenu/telechargement/67110/493311/file/Annexe%20%20-%20Candidatures%20-%20Gard%20-%20Tour%201.pdf
Pro Tip: Stay informed about local election news by following reputable news sources and checking the official website of the Gard prefecture.
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