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French far right National Front 'routed' in key vote French far right National Front 'routed' in key vote
(35 minutes later)
France's far-right National Front (FN) has failed to win a single region in the second round of elections, exit polls indicate.France's far-right National Front (FN) has failed to win a single region in the second round of elections, exit polls indicate.
Early results suggest the party has been beaten into third place, despite leading in six of 13 regions in the first round of votes a week ago.Early results suggest the party has been beaten into third place, despite leading in six of 13 regions in the first round of votes a week ago.
The polls predict Nicolas Sarkozy's centre-right Republicans will win most seats ahead of the ruling Socialists.The polls predict Nicolas Sarkozy's centre-right Republicans will win most seats ahead of the ruling Socialists.
Acknowledging defeat, FN leader Marine Le Pen pledged to keep fighting.Acknowledging defeat, FN leader Marine Le Pen pledged to keep fighting.
And she blamed the outcome on the mainstream parties which joined forces to keep the FN from power, telling her supporters they had been "disenfranchised in the most indecent of ways by a campaign of lies and disinformation".And she blamed the outcome on the mainstream parties which joined forces to keep the FN from power, telling her supporters they had been "disenfranchised in the most indecent of ways by a campaign of lies and disinformation".
The far right's charm offensiveThe far right's charm offensive
Marine Le Pen: Taking French National Front to new highs and lowsMarine Le Pen: Taking French National Front to new highs and lows
Marine Le Pen stood as a candidate in the northern region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie. Her niece Marion Marechal-Le Pen was standing in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, in the south.Marine Le Pen stood as a candidate in the northern region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie. Her niece Marion Marechal-Le Pen was standing in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, in the south.
After both secured more than 40% of the vote in the first round, the trailing Socialist candidates in those regions pulled out so their voters could support the Republican candidate against the FN for the second round.After both secured more than 40% of the vote in the first round, the trailing Socialist candidates in those regions pulled out so their voters could support the Republican candidate against the FN for the second round.
One poll suggested Marine Le Pen had secured 42.5% in the second round in her region, against the centre-right's 57.5%.One poll suggested Marine Le Pen had secured 42.5% in the second round in her region, against the centre-right's 57.5%.
Analysis: BBC's Hugh Schofield in ParisAnalysis: BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris
There can be no hiding that the results of the elections are a big personal blow to Marine Le Pen.There can be no hiding that the results of the elections are a big personal blow to Marine Le Pen.
She has lost the chance to govern a region and show the world that her party is serious. She has been reminded that however strongly the FN performs, the gates of power remain tightly closed.She has lost the chance to govern a region and show the world that her party is serious. She has been reminded that however strongly the FN performs, the gates of power remain tightly closed.
But in a way that suits her fine.But in a way that suits her fine.
Because what it all means is that nothing in France has changed. The two main parties continue sharing out the goodies (in this case deliberately conniving to keep hers as well).Because what it all means is that nothing in France has changed. The two main parties continue sharing out the goodies (in this case deliberately conniving to keep hers as well).
Meanwhile unemployment rises; terror stalks; the grim insurrectionary mood continues to spread.Meanwhile unemployment rises; terror stalks; the grim insurrectionary mood continues to spread.
Marine's prospects for power may be limited, but her appeal is as strong as ever for France's growing numbers of disgruntled and disaffected.Marine's prospects for power may be limited, but her appeal is as strong as ever for France's growing numbers of disgruntled and disaffected.
That French "ouf" of relief? It's also the noise you make when you get a fist in the abdomen.That French "ouf" of relief? It's also the noise you make when you get a fist in the abdomen.
Read more from Hugh
Xavier Bertrand, who is leading in Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie, said the French had given "a lesson of rallying together, courage. Here we stopped the progression of the National Front."Xavier Bertrand, who is leading in Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie, said the French had given "a lesson of rallying together, courage. Here we stopped the progression of the National Front."
But Socialist Prime Minister Manuel Valls was less upbeat. He warned the "danger posed by the far right has not gone away, far from it".But Socialist Prime Minister Manuel Valls was less upbeat. He warned the "danger posed by the far right has not gone away, far from it".
And Mr Sarkozy said now was the time "for in-depth debates about what worries the French", noting security concerns, unemployment and frustration with the European Union.And Mr Sarkozy said now was the time "for in-depth debates about what worries the French", noting security concerns, unemployment and frustration with the European Union.
These elections were to vote for councils and presidents of the 13 French regions, which have wide powers over local transport, education and economic development.These elections were to vote for councils and presidents of the 13 French regions, which have wide powers over local transport, education and economic development.
French media are predicting that the Republicans have taken seven regions and the Socialists five, with nationalists winning Corsica. Official results are expected early on Monday.French media are predicting that the Republicans have taken seven regions and the Socialists five, with nationalists winning Corsica. Official results are expected early on Monday.
The first round of voting on 6 December gave the FN the best election results in its history.The first round of voting on 6 December gave the FN the best election results in its history.
It was the first electoral test since last month's Paris attacks, in which 130 people were killed - an attack claimed by the so-called Islamic State group.It was the first electoral test since last month's Paris attacks, in which 130 people were killed - an attack claimed by the so-called Islamic State group.
In the lead-up to the first round, opinion polls suggested that the popularity of the anti-immigration, anti-EU FN had increased since the deadly attacks.In the lead-up to the first round, opinion polls suggested that the popularity of the anti-immigration, anti-EU FN had increased since the deadly attacks.
The FN had been hoping a strong performance would boost Marine Le Pen's chances for the 2017 presidential election.The FN had been hoping a strong performance would boost Marine Le Pen's chances for the 2017 presidential election.
Did you vote in the elections? What is your reaction to the exit polls? You can share your comments by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Did you vote in the elections? What is your reaction to the exit polls? You can share your comments by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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