Why not try the RN?

With six new seats in addition to Fréjus, the Rassemblement National made a small breakthrough during the 2026 municipal elections in Var. Signes, Six-Fours, La Valette, Salernes, and Puget-sur-Argens have fallen into the hands of the Le Pen-Bardella duo, but the main victory is La Seyne, the second-largest city in the department with 63,700 inhabitants according to the 2023 census.

While Laure Lavalette failed in Toulon, Dorian Munoz represents the navy blue wave that swept over the Var coastline. The 35-year-old candidate is credited with 46.31% of the votes in a four-way race. This quadrumvirate crushed the hopes of the outgoing mayor Joseph Minniti (LR, 24.39%), left-wing candidate Stéphane Sacco (19.02%), and right-wing candidate Cheikh Mansour (10.28%).

This historic vote has rooted deeply left in the city for decades, with various parties holding power. However, with economic recession and the closure of shipyards in 1989, political alternation became more common. The recent win by Dorian Munoz signals a change to far-right politics in La Seyne.

Residents express concerns about rising crime rates and feel neglected by previous administrations. The vote for the RN is seen as more of a protest against traditional politics than an endorsement of anti-immigration policies. People are looking for change, especially in neglected areas like Berthe, which has faced unfulfilled promises over the years.

Despite the divisive election outcome, residents gather in unity to voice their dissatisfaction with past administrations and their hopes for a better future under the new mayor. People are calling for more attention, support, and inclusivity instead of feeling like second-class citizens.

The local community is divided in their reactions to the new mayor, with some expressing hope for positive change and others remaining skeptical about the impact of the election on their lives. Voices of frustration and disappointment blend with cautious optimism as residents navigate the aftermath of a challenging election.