They dreamed of breaking a "green wave", almost a year after their historic result in the European elections ... And they are about to honor this ambition. Despite their missed bet in Paris, where they only get 11% of the vote, the candidates of Europe Ecologize-The Greens (EELV) come out on top in several big cities, after the first round of municipal and inter-municipal elections of this Sunday.
LIVE - Municipal results 2020: record abstention, doubts about holding the second round
● In Grenoble, bonus for outgoing mayor Éric Piolle
Largest city conquered by EELV in 2014, Grenoble (Isère) placed its outgoing mayor very high, according to initial estimates. Éric Piolle (EELV-LFI-PCF, 44%) rose fifteen points higher than in the previous election and distance his competitors: the former RPR mayor Alain Carignon (various right, 20.5%) convicted of corruption in 1996; MP Émilie Chalas (LREM, 15.8%); and Olivier Noblecourt (PS, 12.3%).
Read also: Municipal: favorite in Grenoble, the ecologist Éric Piolle concentrates all the criticisms
● In Lyon, the surprise Grégory Doucet
Arriving at the top in the only big city owned by LREM represents a symbol for EELV environmentalists. This objective is now achieved, since the lists of Grégory Doucet are given in first position on the scale of the city of Lyon (Rhône), with 29% of the votes, in front of those of Etienne Blanc (LR, 16.7%) and Yann Cucherat (LREM, 14.9%), yet supported by the outgoing mayor Gérard Collomb, who comes to the metropolis. Follow ex-mayor Georges Képénékian, dissident macronist, and Nathalie Perrin-Gilbert (LFI, 10%). Galvanized by this performance, environmentalists hope to win another crucial election: that of the Lyon metropolitan area.
To read also: Guillaume Tabard: "Green people, actors of a future recomposition?"
● In Strasbourg, J eanne Barseghian far ahead of its competitors
Environmentalists also come out ahead of the first round in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin), around Jeanne Barseghian (27.87%). The candidate dreams of succeeding outgoing mayor Roland Ries (ex-PS), who does not represent himself and supports the macronist candidate Alain Fontanel. In the second round, she could face three leaders: Alain Fontanel (19.86%), the former socialist mayor Catherine Trautmann (PS, 19.77%) and Jean-Philippe Vetter (18.26%), according to the final results.
● In Besançon, Anne Vignot in a favorable position
In Besançon (Doubs), the Greens also intend to succeed a mayor - Jean-Louis Fousseret (LREM, ex-PS) - who is not seeking a new term. Their candidate, Anne Vignot (EELV) leads the way (31.19%), ahead of Ludovic Fagaut (LR, 23.59%) and the deputy Éric Alauzet (LREM, 18.89%), according to the final results.
Read also: Municipal: Paris, Lyon, Marseille ... The results of the first round in the main hot spots
● In Bordeaux, Pierre Hurmic shoulder to shoulder with the outgoing mayor LR
Environmentalists impose on the city of Bordeaux (Gironde) its first second round since ... 1947. The city of Girondin, used to choosing right mayors from the first round, placed the outgoing mayor Nicolas Florian side by side (LR, 34.56%), successor to Alain Juppé, and environmental lawyer Pierre Hurmic (EELV): only 96 votes separate them. Distanced, Thomas Cazenave (LREM, 12%) and the ex-presidential candidate Philippe Poutou (10.8%, NPA) are still qualified for the second round, according to the latest estimates.