Public transport, roads, tap water: French residents’ priorities for local spending in poll

Improved roads and public transport services have topped the list of priorities for French residents in a new poll ahead of the upcoming 2026 local elections. 

Infrastructure improvements rank foremost, with upgraded roads cited as investment priority for 51%. 

Other priorities include better public transport (38%), drinking water services (34%) general transportation (33%) and sanitation services (31%).

Tangible measures intended to enhance everyday life are viewed as more important than high-profile policies such as inaugurating a new public square, something 59% of respondents believe is a ‘mistake in prioritising’ if infrastructure is in a poor state in the commune.

The survey by the Terram institute* polled more than 3,000 people on their wishes ahead of the 2026 municipal elections. 

Held on March 15 and 22 next year, the elections will return councillors to local authorities, who will then in turn appoint mayors. 

Existing authorities have already started undertaking efforts to retain their seats, with many opting to keep property taxes low this year in a bid to win votes. 

The survey showed that 61% of people say they are poorly informed about the state of services managed by local authorities such as electricity and water, highlighting an area of potential impact for election results in communes where infrastructure is deemed priority.

Infrastructure heads list of concerns

“Damaged roads, leaking pipes… these everyday signs are indicators of trust or distrust in public authorities,” said head of Terram Institute Victor Delage of the poll.

Almost 90% of respondents said network management and infrastructure needed to form a part of debates surrounding the election as areas of importance to residents.

In terms of road safety, 56% said they had witnessed first-hand an infrastructure problem on public roads in their commune over the last year.

This was followed by underground network failures (internet, etc) (28%), sanitation problems (26%), cracks or infrastructure problems in buildings (23%), disruptions to the drinking water network (21%), and the fragility of engineering structures (17%).

“The priority here is ensuring the physical continuity of the territory before aesthetics,” Mr Delage added. 

While coming into contact with these challenges was a problem for all groups, those under 35 were more likely to face an issue (80%) than the 65+ group (66%). 

The figures may not accurately reflect the full range of challenges, as it is thought likely that not all issues were included in the study. 

For example, more self-employed people identified an issue with the internet (46% compared to 28% of the general population), highlighting greater importance of the service to them and their business. 

Infrastructure must be paid for 

Respondents were aware that improvements in infrastructure come at a cost. 

More than half (53%) said they would accept higher taxes to improve conditions in their commune, however only 15% of people said they would accept them unconditionally. The remaining 38% demanding ‘concrete action’ before doing so. 

Generally, people on the left and in the centre were more willing to accept increased taxes, with only 30% of both groups refusing to do so. This increased to 56% for unaffiliated people and those backing the far-right Rassemblement National. 

In the latter group, a mistrust of how public funds are allocated was cited as a primary reason for not accepting higher taxes.

However, tax increases may be the only way for improvements to be managed, with communes across France already facing deficits. 

A reduction in locally generated revenues accessible to communes in recent years has affected spending patterns, with increasing service costs likewise affecting municipalities.

*3,034 adults polled online between September 15 - 22. You can read the full report here.