Municipal and mayoral elections were held in Marseille in March 2008,[1] at the same time as other French municipal elections. The incumbent Mayor of the city, Jean-Claude Gaudin (UMP) faced Socialist candidate and Senator Jean-Noël Guérini. While polls in January and February indicated that Gaudin was safe, later polls showed the race tied and the 3rd sector of the city, a marginal UMP area, was likely to decide the election. Elections in Marseille depend not on the number of votes polled but the number of sectors won (there are 8 sectors). The same system applies in Lyon and Paris.
Gaudin was re-elected and served as mayor till 2020.