A National Rally victory in France’s second city in municipal elections that start on Sunday would be hailed by the party as a step towards taking the presidency next year

Politicians on all sides are describing the close mayoral race as a battle for Marseille’s identity. Historically the city has welcomed immigration from north Africa, Italy, Armenia and Comoros; it has a large Muslim community and one of the biggest urban populations of Jewish people in Europe.

But Marseille is just one of several southern French towns and cities targeted by the far-right.