National Rally Gains Ground in French Local Elections: RN Candidate Wins Mayoral Race in Liévin
In a surprising turn of events, Dany Paiva, the 30-year-old candidate from the National Rally (RN), has been elected mayor of Liévin, a historically socialist stronghold in the Pas-de-Calais region of France. The victory, secured on March 22, 2026, marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the mining basin and signals a growing momentum for the RN in local elections.
A Historic Upset in a Traditional Left-Wing Bastion
Liévin, a town with a strong industrial past and a long-standing tradition of socialist governance, had been under the control of the Parti Socialiste (PS) for over 80 years. The town’s political history includes mayors Henri Darras (1952-1981) and Jean-Pierre Kucheida (1981-2013), who also led the local agglomeration and mining housing management. This election result represents a dramatic break from that legacy. Paiva defeated Jérôme Darras, the candidate backed by the Socialist Party, with 53.58% of the vote, according to results reported by Actu.
Dany Paiva: From Gard to the Mining Basin
Dany Paiva, originally from the Gard region of southern France, is a relatively latest face in Liévin’s political scene. He previously ran as a candidate for the RN in Nîmes during the 2020 municipal elections and served as a parliamentary assistant to Marie Dauchy, a Member of the European Parliament. Paiva’s Facebook profile identifies him as a current assistant to a Member of Parliament and a territorial civil servant. He arrived in Liévin just months before the election, but successfully tapped into local concerns and dissatisfaction with the incumbent administration.
The Significance of the Victory
The RN’s success in Liévin is particularly noteworthy given the party’s focus on the neighboring town of Lens. While the RN did not win in Lens, the victory in Liévin demonstrates the party’s ability to make inroads in the historically left-leaning mining basin. According to Luso Jornal, Paiva’s surname reflects the Portuguese origins common in the Pas-de-Calais mining region, a legacy of immigration waves that shaped the area’s industrial history.
Looking Ahead
With a clear majority in the Liévin municipal council – 30 seats compared to 9 for his opponent – Dany Paiva is poised to implement his vision for the town. The election result signals a potential realignment of local politics in the region and underscores the growing appeal of the National Rally to voters across France. The victory in Liévin is likely to embolden the RN as it prepares for future elections and seeks to expand its influence beyond its traditional strongholds.
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