Left-wing party La France Insoumise announced the cat on its municipal “Rennes en commun” election list, as a means of raising awareness of animal welfare issues.

Félix Boullanger, co-director of the municipal campaign in the Ille-et-Vilaine city, said the list would “highlight a subject that has not been seen much in this campaign: the animal condition”.

The symbolic gesture was supported by animal welfare campaigners L214 Éthique & Animaux.

In a statement, they said: “[This is intended to raise awareness and provided] a dedicated campaign for animal protection, to increase the percentage of vegetable protein used in communal food, to support the national ban on circuses that keep wild animals...and support a policy that would sterilise stray cats”.

The cat, who is named Rec (for “Rennes en commun”) - but who will take on a human pseudonym for the election - is not at risk of being elected, however.

Mr Boullanger admitted: “This is a symbolic candidature...Even if the cat gets 99.99% in the elections, it won’t be elected.”

The municipal elections are set to take place in Rennes on March 15 and 22.