Rassemblement National Wins First Mayoral Seat in Bouches-du-Rhône in 30 Years

Christophe Gonzalez secures victory in Rognac's special election, marking a significant milestone for the far-right party in the region.

Christophe Gonzalez, a political newcomer and Rassemblement National (RN) candidate, won the mayoral race in Rognac with 38.05% of the vote in a four-way contest.
This is the first RN victory in the Bouches-du-Rhône department since the 1990s, with previous wins in Marignane (1995) and Vitrolles (1997) under the party's former name, Front National.
The election was triggered by the resignation of multiple municipal councilors and allegations of financial misconduct against outgoing mayor Sylvie Miceli-Houdais, who denies the charges.
RN leaders, including Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen, hailed the victory as a key moment for their local strategy and a promising sign for the 2026 municipal elections.
Opposition parties criticized the result, attributing it to political fragmentation and calling for stronger resistance to far-right advances in future elections.