The approaching municipal elections in France are failing to galvanize young voters, with a significant disconnect between their concerns and the platforms offered by established political parties. As the first round of voting nears on March 15th, a sense of apathy and disillusionment prevails among many under-25s, raising questions about their participation in local governance.
Only 35% of 18-25 year olds express interest in the upcoming municipal elections, according to recent data. This follows a pattern of low turnout among young people in previous local elections; in 2020, seven out of ten young French citizens abstained from voting for mayoral candidates. “They have the impression that the individual vote doesn’t matter,” explains Clément Reversé, a sociologist and author of La vie de cassos, jeunes ruraux en survie.
In Cadillac, a rural commune in the Gironde region, residents report a feeling of being overlooked by politicians. Alexandre, a young resident of the town, stated he intends to vote, acknowledging the sacrifices made to secure the right to vote, but admitted, “I don’t fully identify with what the parties are saying.” Célia, 25, expressed a more pessimistic view, saying she chooses “the lesser of two evils,” whereas still holding “a lot of hope” for the local mayor, with whom she feels a personal connection. She cited the local mission locale’s assistance in helping her obtain her driver’s license as an example of positive municipal impact, noting that “Without a license, you’re rejected by all job offers.”
Reversé argues that genuine political engagement requires financial stability and time, resources often lacking for young people. “To be able to get involved, you need the means to do so, and not be occupied by a job search, by precarity, or by not having a car,” he said. This precarity is also a driving force for engagement for some, however.
In Bordeaux, Petra Bernus, a nursing student and candidate for the Révolution permanente party, is campaigning on the issue of economic hardship. She herself balances studies with employment to make ends meet. “Young people are fully experiencing precarity with minimum wage jobs and precarious employment,” she stated. Théo, a student who became politically active after the 2018 “gilets jaunes” (yellow vests) protests, echoed this sentiment, recounting his mother’s struggle to support the family while working multiple jobs. Reversé describes a “mal-être” – a sense of unease – among young people.
Bernus highlighted the financial constraints faced by young people, stating, “Going on vacation is not even conceivable.” She also criticized what she perceives as a disconnect between politicians and the realities of everyday life. “Those who represent us are professional politicians in white collars who know nothing about our lives, about struggling to fill our refrigerators, for example,” she asserted. She added, “The people who decide for us are privileged, they have salaries that don’t resemble those of the majority of the population.”
While young people may be less likely to vote than other demographics, Reversé cautions against interpreting this as a lack of engagement. He attributes the low turnout to both a sense of alienation from traditional politics and the challenges of precarity. “There is a loss of belief in politics among young people,” he concluded.
The deadline for registering to vote in the municipal elections was February 6th, 2026, with a further extension to March 5th for those turning 18 before the election date. The official campaign period began on March 2nd, 2026.
