France’s far right hoped for major gains in Sunday’s municipal elections, a key bellwether moment before a presidential election next year. Its results were mixed.

Pierre-Édouard Stérin is financing projects to make France less Muslim, more Catholic and more capitalist. He says his program has trained thousands running for municipal office on Sunday.

The far-right party had first-round successes in several cities, but so did the far left. Sunday’s second round may clarify who has real momentum.

Voters across France choose mayors this week. The far right is performing strongly in the country’s second city, making the contest there a test of national shifts.