If Paris swings, the general impression is that it is France that is swinging

Pollster Philippe Mechet

The Gaullists in Paris are divided, and the low-key campaign of socialist candidate Bertrand Delanoe has struck a chord with voters tired of political corruption scandals.

If Mr Delanoe is victorious in Paris, this could spoil President Jacques Chirac's chances of beating the current Prime Minister, Lionel Jospin, in the 2002 presidential election.

"If Paris swings, the general impression is that it is France that is swinging," said the director general of the Sofres polling firm, Philippe Mechet.

France votes

40 million voters 36,615 mayors up for election 17 government ministers running for mayor 25% of voters undecided Half a million councillors to be elected

Mr Chirac was mayor of Paris for 18 years before becoming president, and the city was formerly seen as his powerbase.

In the last municipal elections, in 1995, the country was split in half, with the left taking control of 222 of the 448 cities of more than 20,000 inhabitants, the right winning 209, and independents 17.

Pollsters suggest only 10% at most will change hands this time.

Cities in spotlight

The right is expected to hold on to rural France, where it has long held sway.

Most attention is focusing on Paris, Lyon and Toulouse.

In Lyon, popular former Prime Minister Raymond Barre of the centre-right UDF party is stepping down, but his designated successor, Michel Mercier, faces a challenge from a dissident right-wing candidate, former Defence Minister Charles Millon.

Current Paris Mayor Jean Tiberi is having to run as an independent

Analysts say Mr Mercier's only hope against the socialist Gerard Collomb is to persuade Mr Millon to step down.

"It is I who have the key, even if I don't have the lock," Mr Millon said last week.

There is a similar situation in Toulouse, where the right-wing Mayor, Dominique Baudis, is stepping down.

His chosen successor, Philippe Douste-Blazy, a former education minister, also from the UDF party, looks set to lead in the first round over socialist Francois Simon - but Mr Simon could win the second round if he forms an alliance with a "citizen's group" known as Motive-e-s.

National Front

The group is named after a hit song by rock band Zebda, and describes itself as an alternative to the political establishment.

It aims to mobilise the immigrant North African community, which traditionally has little interest in voting.

The extreme-right National Front, weakened after splitting into two factions in 1999, is likely to lose two of four towns, including Toulon, won in 1995 elections.

This is the first election to apply a June 2000 law on parity between male and female candidates, and the first to allow European Union residents living in France to vote.