Leftist, RN candidate virtually tied in first round of Marseille mayoral election, exit polls show

PARIS, March 15 (Reuters) – Leftist incumbent ​mayor Benoit ‌Payan is virtually tied with National ‌Rally ​lawmaker ⁠Franck Allisio ⁠in the first round of the ​mayoral election in ⁠Marseille, ⁠France’s second-largest ​city, two ​exit polls showed ‌on Sunday.

The far-right National Rally ⁠has targeted Marseille as a ⁠test ‌of its ⁠strength ​ahead ‌of the ​2027 presidential ⁠election.

(Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Michel ​Rose)