This article is part of the series Cities versus Multinationals by the European Network of Corporate Observatories (ENCO).
Amid the coronavirus crisis, French citizens were called to vote in municipal elections last Sunday, while the second round, scheduled for 22 March, has been postponed til 21 June.
The elections were called in a context of widespread protests against Emmanuel Macron's government and its pension reforms. The movement of the “gilets jaunes” reflected both a focus on living conditions and an aspiration to more direct democracy, while green movements and climate marchers are hoping cities and local authorities will be up to the task of driving a genuine transition.
