France Local Elections: Conservatives Hold Off National Front
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.
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