Over the next couple of weeks we will start to hear more from our candidates for the local council (conseil municipal) elections.
Voting will take place on two Sundays , the 23rd and 30th March. In the small communes that most of live in - fewer than 3500 inhabitants - we may have a choice of lists, usually representing people with similar aspirations for the commune and often, though not always backed by a political party.
We may pick and choose from within the lists, crossing out the names of those we do not wish to vote for. Or we may simply vote for the whole of one list. (In the bigger communes you have to vote for a whole list). In theory the elected councillors will choose the maire and adjoints from their ranks, though in practice there is usually a "tete de liste" who, if elected will be maire.
In the first round of voting lists or candidates receiving more than 50% of the votes cast by at least 25% of the electorate will be elected there and then. Those receiving less than 50% will go forward to the second round to fill the remaining places.
Any resident paying local taxes may vote, provided they register before the end of the preceding year. And non-French residents may stand, though not become maire. Candidates may often be labelled as "sortant", which means they were members of the previous council and are "re-presenting" themselves for election.
Campaigning must end on the Friday prior to the election date, so brace yourselves for smiling ogres and baby kissing from those after your votes.
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