PRESS TRUST OF INDIA|
Paris Dec 07| 15: A landslide victory of Marine Le Pen’s National Front party in the first round of French regional polls has sent shockwaves through France’s mainstream parties, which appear seemingly helpless at stopping the unabated rise of the anti-immigration party 18 months before the presidential elections. Ms Le Pen’s anti-immigration party came first in six out of 13 regions up for grabs on Sunday, in elections designed to pick regional governments. With about 28 per cent nationally, the FN posted its best share of votes ever. Regional governments have oversight powers over local transport and part of the school system. They manage a budget for economic and cultural development. But as for each election in the past two years — local or European parliamentary polls — the results carry national importance. For Ms Le Pen, who eyes the French presidency in 2017, winning one or more regions next Sunday would strengthen her legitimacy before the presidential elections. It would give her an operational base, help recruit staff and demonstrate that her strategy of “sanitisation” of the far-right party after breaking up with her father and party founder, JeanMarie Le Pen, earlier this year is working. The shock on Sunday was felt across the nation.
