How French Regions' Finances Stand Ahead of the 2021 Regional Elections

Due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, French regional elections are now likely to be postponed to June 2021 from an initial vote planned for March 2021. The vote will mark the end of the current regional mandate that started in December 2015 and saw the central government implement important institutional changes for regions. Most notably, France’s mainland regions were merged into 13 regions from 22 previously, from January 1, 2016; new transport responsibilities were transferred to regions in 2017 and 2020 saw the reduction of regional responsibility for apprenticeships.