In the Regional Elections the Socialists won six Regions, the Republicans (LR) on the right won seven, whereas the Extreme Right (FN), which one week ago was leading in six Regions, ended up not winning any Region at all !
Yesterday 58.3% of the electorate voted, which was an increase of 4 million more voters over last week, when only 49% voted.
However, the Republicans owe their victory in 4 Régions to Manuel Valls the Prime Minister, who ordered all lists of Socialists which were in third place last week, to withdraw. He then urged ALL Socialist electors to vote for LR to prevent FN from winning any Region ! It was a gamble, but one which achieved what he wanted !
FN is disappointed not to have won any of the six Regions in which it was leading last week, but now has elected members in every Region for the first time. Yesterday, with a total of 6.8 million, it got 600 000 more votes than last week !
This Election was fought to elect Regional Councillors yet all the issues discussed were only of a National flavour. ALL the Parties now must adjust their avowed policies to increase their support in future for any elections. The fact that the next election will be the Presidential Election in May 2017, was ever present in the background.
President Hollande has had poor Opinion Polls but hopes to get the support needed to stand for a second term. If he then reaches the second round he may then face not Sarkozy, whom he defeated in 2012, but Marine Le Pen, Leader of FN !
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