French far-right on brink of power in regions

AFP, PARIS: France’s far-right National Front (FN) on Monday stood at the gates of power in several regions after record scores in the first round of elections, held just three weeks after the Paris attacks.
Marine Le Pen’s party finished top in six of 13 regions on Sunday, from the economically depressed north where she is standing, to the sun-drenched south where her 25-year-old niece is in poll position.
Le Pen on Monday hailed a “magnificent” result and blasted the traditional political elite “at a time when dark clouds are gathering over France, from the economy and from the risk of being submerged by migrants”.
After the anti-immigration party’s strong showing, the main parties on the right and left must now decide whether to come to an agreement to try to stop the FN from winning control at regional level in next Sunday’s second-round run-offs.
The Socialists of President Francois Hollande have already begun withdrawing candidates, but former president Nicolas Sarkozy, leader of the centre-right Republicans, ruled out any tactical alliance.

 

French far-right on brink of power in regions

AFP, PARIS: Frances far-right National Front (FN) on Monday stood at the gates of power in several regions after record scores in the first round of elections, held just three weeks after the Paris attacks. Marine Le Pens party finished top in six of 13 regions on Sunday, from the economically depressed north where she is standing, to the sun-drenched south where her 25-year-old niece is in poll position. Le Pen on Monday hailed a magnificent result and blasted the traditional political elite at a time when dark clouds are gathering over France, from the economy and from the risk of being submerged by migrants. After the anti-immigration partys strong showing, the main parties on the right and left must now decide whether to come to an agreement to try to stop the FN from winning control at regional level in next Sundays second-round run-offs. The Socialists of President Francois Hollande have already begun withdrawing candidates, but former president Nicolas Sarkozy, leader of the centre-right Republicans, ruled out any tactical alliance.