PARIS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The list led by left-wing candidate Emmanuel Gregoire won the second round of Paris's municipal elections on Sunday, BFM TV reported, citing initial estimates from polling institute Elabe.
Gregoire, heading a coalition of the Socialist Party, The Ecologists, and the French Communist Party, secured around 50 percent of the vote. Meanwhile, the list led by former culture minister Rachida Dati of The Republicans garnered approximately 40 percent.
In the first round held on March 15, Gregoire received 37.98 percent of the vote, well ahead of Dati, who obtained 25.46 percent. However, Dati later merged her list with that of the Horizons party, led by Pierre-Yves Bournazel, which had won 11.34 percent. This alliance boosted her support base and significantly narrowed the gap between Dati and Gregoire, making the second-round contest highly competitive.
Municipal elections in France are held every six years to elect local councilors, mayors, and other officials. Unlike previous elections, this year's vote was conducted using candidate lists, with independent candidates no longer permitted to run. Voters cast their ballots for lists rather than individual candidates. ■
