The decree also confirmed the dates for the electoral campaign, which “will last fifteen days, starting from 0.00h on Friday 12 May and ending at 24.00h on Friday 26 May”.

With the decree coming into force, the electoral period is now under way. According to the framework act on general electoral regimes (LOREG), the next steps and dates are:

• 5 to 15 April: period for parties to name their representatives before the provincial electoral boards.
• 1 May: publication of candidates eligible to stand in the elections, published the following day in provincial gazettes.
• 8 to 24 May: period for postal votes (these must be requested in advance).
• 12 to 26 May: election campaign.
• 27 May: day of reflection.
• 28 May: election day.

Once voting is completed on election day. The following steps are on these dates in June:

• 3 June: official scrutiny by local electoral boards concludes.
• 4 June: official period begins for electoral boards to confirm those elected.
• 17 June: City Council constituted and Mayor elected.