Tense debate in Metz, anti-RN tactical alliances in Amnéville and Saint-Avold
Moselle ● Vendredi 20 mars ● J+5
Moselle (57) press review
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Left divided in Metz, anti-far-right coalition forms in Amnéville
Moselle ● Mercredi 18 mars ● J+3
Three days after the first round in Moselle (northeastern France), between-round negotiations have exposed persistent divisions on the left in Metz: Charlotte Leduc (LFI) and Jérémy Roques (Greens) merged their lists, but Bertrand Mertz (Socialists) is running solo. In Amnéville, a broad republican coalition forms to block the far-right list that topped the first round. François Grosdidier remains the strong favourite for the second round on March 22.
François Grosdidier firmly in the lead, divided left negotiates for second round
Moselle ● Lundi 16 mars ● J+0
The day after the first round of the 2026 municipal elections in Moselle, François Grosdidier (center-right) leads in Metz with 43%, while a divided left begins fusion talks before the second round on March 22. Fabien Engelmann re-elected in Hayange and Fabien Di Filippo elected outright in Sarrebourg on the first ballot.
Election Day in Moselle
Moselle ● Dimanche 15 mars ● J+0
On March 15, 2026, voters across Moselle cast their ballots in the first round of municipal elections. In Metz, nine lists compete for 55 council seats, with incumbent center-right mayor François Grosdidier facing a divided left split into four competing lists. Hestroff stands out as the only commune in the département with no registered candidates.
Left-wing divisions persist in Metz as mid-size cities hold final debates
Moselle ● Vendredi 13 mars ● J-2
Two days before the first round, Moselle enters its final hours of campaigning. In Metz, Bertrand Mertz (Socialist Party) and Jérémy Roques (Greens) have ruled out any pre-election alliance, leaving the left fragmented against incumbent mayor François Grosdidier (center-right). In Thionville, the 'ThionviLeaks' affair and a televised debate have raised political temperatures. Forbach, Sarreguemines and Sarrebourg hold their final campaign events.
The Metz Debate and the Anstett-Milei Controversy
Moselle ● Mercredi 11 mars ● J-4
On March 11, six candidates for the Metz city hall face off in a live television debate on ICI Lorraine. Far-right candidate Étienne Anstett, who advocates a Milei-style management approach, has sparked controversy. Incumbent mayor François Grosdidier (center-right) defends his security record while Forbach holds its own debate.
Decisive TV debates tonight in Thionville, Étienne Anstett still under fire
Moselle ● Lundi 9 mars ● J-6
Six days before the first round, Moselle enters the most intense 48-hour stretch of the campaign: the Thionville candidates' debate on LOR'FM radio aired this Monday 9 March, ahead of the major Metz showdown on 11 March. The controversy over Étienne Anstett's (far-right) TikTok video continues to hang over the final stretch in Metz, while incumbent mayor François Grosdidier (center-right) still awaits the Court of Cassation's ruling on his appeal in the Woippy affair.
Étienne Anstett embroiled in controversy, Thionville and Metz brace for decisive televised debates
Moselle ● Samedi 7 mars ● J-8
Eight days before the first round, the Moselle campaign is rocked by a new scandal: a deleted TikTok video from Étienne Anstett's (far-right RN) former account appears to promote rape culture, adding to existing tensions in Metz. Meanwhile, the Thionville debate (March 10 on LOR'FM) and the major Metz debate (March 11 on Moselle TV and ICI Lorraine) stand as the final decisive moments of the campaign. François Grosdidier, whose legal appeal remains pending, prepares his programmatic defence for the make-or-break televised showdown.
François Grosdidier faces dual legal pressure, TV debates in Thionville and Metz on the horizon
Moselle ● Vendredi 6 mars ● J-9
Nine days before the first round, Moselle's campaign intensifies on two legal fronts: François Grosdidier (Metz) has been referred to a criminal court for misuse of public funds, while Alexandre Cassaro (Forbach) faced off against the far-right in the March 4 debate, his own trial looming in November. The upcoming TV debates in Thionville (March 10) and Metz (March 11) will be the decisive moments of the final stretch.
The François Grosdidier-Étienne Anstett row, debates in Saint-Avold and Forbach
Moselle ● Mardi 3 mars ● J-12
Twelve days before the vote, the Moselle campaign is heating up. François Grosdidier (DVD, Metz mayor) is accused by Étienne Anstett (RN) of having endorsed a threatening social media comment. A complaint has been filed. Tonight, a municipal debate in Saint-Avold (9 pm, Moselle TV), followed tomorrow by Forbach. The final stretch promises to be tense.
Series of televised debates, final stretch
Moselle ● Lundi 2 mars ● J-13
Thirteen days before the first round, televised debates are multiplying in Moselle. Saint-Avold kicks off on Tuesday, March 3, followed by Forbach on March 4, Thionville on March 10, and Metz on March 11. The official campaign, opened on March 2, will end Friday, March 13 at midnight. In 65% of Moselle municipalities, only one slate runs unopposed.
Official Campaign Opens, Metz Debate Scheduled
Moselle ● Dimanche 1 mars ● J-14
With the official campaign underway since March 2, a televised debate will bring together the six main Metz candidates on March 11 on Moselle TV. In 65% of Moselle municipalities, a single list will be elected uncontested in the first round. The battle remains open in Metz, Thionville, Forbach, Sarreguemines and Hayange.
Final candidate lists filed, official campaign about to begin
Moselle ● Samedi 28 février ● J-15
Final candidate lists were published on February 27. In Metz, eight candidates will compete on March 15. The official campaign begins on March 2, thirteen days before the vote. Candidate lineups remain stable in major cities.
François Grosdidier unveils his list, final stretch
Moselle ● Samedi 21 février ● J-22
François Grosdidier presents his full list less than a month before voting begins. Charlotte Leduc's (LFI) campaign office vandalized. Génération.s joins 'Metz en Commun'. Deadline for candidate registration approaches.
Fabien Di Filippo and Pascal Jenft gear up for battle
Moselle ● Vendredi 13 février ● J-30
In Sarrebourg, Fabien Di Filippo (Republicans) presents a significantly renewed team. In Sarreguemines, Pascal Jenft (RN) opts for an unaffiliated strategy. In Metz, candidacies are confirmed while regulatory reform transforms voting in small towns.
Grosdidier Officially Enters Race, Far-Right Organizes
Moselle ● Mardi 10 février ● J-33
Incumbent Metz Mayor François Grosdidier (center-right) officially declared candidacy on February 6. Marine Le Pen campaigned throughout Moselle in late January backing 18 far-right candidates. Multiple endorsements reshaping the electoral landscape across major cities.
François Grosdidier Formalizes in Metz
Moselle ● Samedi 7 février ● J-35
François Grosdidier announces his candidacy with the slate 'J'aime Metz'. Two days before the weekend, political configurations finalize. At 35 days before polling and eighteen days before the nomination deadline, the far-right's offensive intensifies.
Pre-Campaign Consolidates
Moselle ● Jeudi 5 février ● J-37
Three weeks before the candidacy deadline, electoral slates finalize. Marc Zingraff officially announces in Sarreguemines, the RN confirms its offensive strategy with 18-20 candidates, and major cities display their final configurations.
Campaign Heating Up
Moselle ● Lundi 2 février ● J-40
Marine Le Pen visits to support RN candidates, complete slates in Thionville and left-wing divisions in Metz as the campaign intensifies 40 days before the election.