France: Far-right strength put to test in local elections

AI Briefing

• – France's far-right National Rally party is expected to face stiff competition in local elections as voters head to the polls for a test run of next year's presidential vote.
• – The mayoral contest in Paris is seen as a key battleground, with incumbent Mayor Anne Hidalgo facing off against right-wing challenger Laurent Fontana.
• – The outcome is seen as a gauge of the far-right's strength in the country ahead of the 2022 presidential election.