The French local elections are coming up very quick, the first round being held on March 9 and the runoff on the 16th. Up for elections are all 36,783 mayors and around 500,000 city councillors. Also, often being overlooked are the cantonale elections, this year, the “2001 series” of cantons (similar to US counties, but used even more for administrative purposes) are up for re-election. These cantonale office holders are also known as councillors and sit in the general council. They also elect the President of the General Council.

Of course, no better way to start out than with some good ol’ maps. The first one is the one that will spark the most interest. Tis’ a map of the current political affiliations of the incumbent city mayors (taking into account party switches, party creations etc. since 2001)… The Paris petite couronne is also included, mostly to show the current Communist cities.

Most party abbreviations should be quite obvious; CAP is a small anti-liberal commie party, GM is Jean-Marie Bockel’s new centre-left UMP affiliated party, and the CNIP is a fringe conservative party that used to be important.

A few “OMG this party controls this city!” comments should pop up, like the UMP incumbents in the Socialist southwest or the MoDem incumbent in Saint-Brieuc.

Now, for a map of the 2004 President of the GC  (Note: UDF incumbents; all are New Centre except for two MoDem)

This entry was posted on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 5:18 pm and is filed under French Locals 2008, French political commentary. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.