Potential Electoral Reform in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille Faces Legal and Political Hurdles

The French government considers changes to the PLM law, but timing, constitutionality, and political priorities complicate its adoption.

The PLM law, governing municipal elections in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, may be reformed to allow direct mayoral elections in Paris and potentially other changes.
Legal experts warn that such reforms could face constitutional challenges, particularly for Lyon and Marseille, which fall under standard municipal law.
Critics argue that proposed changes may introduce governance issues, such as potential conflicts between directly elected mayors and councils with opposing majorities.
The timeline for implementing these reforms is tight, as electoral law changes traditionally avoid being made within a year of elections, though this is not a constitutional requirement.
Despite initial government interest, parliamentary priorities, such as narcotrafficking and end-of-life legislation, have delayed the reform's advancement.