France's far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen holds a press conference in Lille. (AFP Photo)
Paris:
France's far-right National Front ran strongly in a first-round regional vote that was the first election since an attack by Islamic extremists left 130 dead in Paris.
A second-round was planned for Sunday; in the interim other parties will negotiate and jostle for position. The National Front was leading in six of the 13 regions, including two where it was strongly ahead.
Party leader Marine Le Pen told BFM television today that "the French people have had enough of being treated like a herd of sheep."
She is the top candidate in Calais, where thousands of migrants live in makeshift camps in hopes of reaching Britain.
Sunday's vote took place at a time of high tension in France, where unease is spreading after terror attacks in January and November.
A second-round was planned for Sunday; in the interim other parties will negotiate and jostle for position. The National Front was leading in six of the 13 regions, including two where it was strongly ahead.
Party leader Marine Le Pen told BFM television today that "the French people have had enough of being treated like a herd of sheep."
She is the top candidate in Calais, where thousands of migrants live in makeshift camps in hopes of reaching Britain.
Sunday's vote took place at a time of high tension in France, where unease is spreading after terror attacks in January and November.
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