Key Mayoral Races In Paris, Marseille, Lyon As France Votes In Local Run-Offs

PARIS, March 22 (Bernama-dpa) -- Voters are called to the polls on Sunday for the second and decisive round of local elections across France, with key mayoral races to be decided in Paris, Marseille and Lyon, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

Results are expected from 8 pm (1900 GMT), but it is likely to take some time before the vote-counting is complete.

Run-off elections are being held in more than 1,500 French municipalities. 

In the remaining 33,000 mostly smaller municipalities, a winner was already determined after the first round of voting last Sunday.

In Paris, there could be a change of power after more than 25 years of Socialist rule.

A neck-and-neck race has emerged to replace the outgoing Anne Hidalgo between Socialist candidate Emmanuel Grégoire and Rachida Dati from the conservative Republicans. 

In France’s second-largest city of Marseille, left-wing incumbent Benoît Payan faces a challenge from the far-right Franck Allisio. 

A victory for Allisio would be a major boost for Marine Le Pen's National Rally party ahead of presidential elections next year.

-- BERNAMA-dpa