Courtesy of Mish.
In local French elections over the weekend, Conservatives Hold Off National Front while PS, the party of president Francois Hollande finished a distant third.
France’s centre-right UMP party and its allies have taken first place in the first round of local elections, partial results show.
Projections suggest that the far-right National Front – despite strong gains – came second with about 25% of the vote, behind the conservatives on 30%.
President Francois Hollande’s governing Socialists came third with about 20%.
Voters are electing representatives in 101 departments, or counties, charged with issues like schools and welfare.
The results mean the second round on 29 March will see a run-off between the UMP and the FN in many constituencies.
Le Pen: “We Dislodged PS”
Following the election, a triumphant Marine Le Pen announced “We dislodged PS“.
Via translation from Le Monde:
In an exclusive interview with Le Monde, the president of the National Front believes that the score of his party in the first round of the departmental elections, Sunday, March 22, is a “feat”.
Le Pen: I have always said that beating the results of the European election [25%] would be a triumph. We beat that score score tonight.
Le Monde: You cannot dislodge the role of Nicolas Sarkozy.
Le Pen: The one that has been dislodged is the PS. It was dislodged in a thousand cantons!Le Monde: You pay for your policy of isolation. The dynamic alliance between the UMP and the UDI allows to garner more votes.
Le Pen: We went from zero local presence to many second rounds. It’s spectacular! Our score reassures everyone, it shows that our standards have reached such a point that some blow when one makes 27%.
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