Battered Socialists hold Paris as far right makes gains in local elections / Hollande names Interior Minister Manuel Valls as France’s new prime minister

France's ruling Socialists suffered a defeat in the second round of local elections on the 30 March 2014, with the centre-right UMP claiming victory and the far right National Front making further gains - a possible foreshadowing of the European Parliament elections in May 2014.

The Local.fr reported that the key points from the election were:

+ National Front took at least 12 towns, including Beziers and Frejus
+ The day was dubbed 'Black Sunday' for the Socialists after losing dozens of big towns
+ François Hollande was likely to reshuffle his government after poor showing. Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault was set to be replaced.
+ Socialist Party candidate Anne Hidalgo elected first female mayor of Paris.

Following the results President Francois Hollande named Interior Minister Manuel Valls as France's new prime minister following the resignation earlier on the 31 March 2014 of Jean-Marc Ayrault.

The Local.fr said that Spanish-born Valls had been compared with Tony Blair and was popular with the public, but not so much within his own Socialist Party.

Just hours after Manuel Valls was sworn in as France’s new prime minister, the Green Party rebelled against his leadership, announcing that they would not participate in any government headed by the former interior minister.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Historic gains for France's far-right in local elections http://www.europeansources.info/record/historic-gains-for-frances-far-right-in-local-elections/

Frace24, 30.03.14: Political shake-up expected as France votes in second round http://www.france24.com/en/20140330-france-local-elections-fn-mayor-paris/

EurActiv, 31.03.14: French socialists suffer major blow in local elections http://www.euractiv.com/sections/elections/french-socialists-suffer-major-blow-local-elections-301233

EUObserver, 31.03.14: French Socialists bruised in local elections http://euobserver.com/political/123684

BBC News, 31.03.14: France local elections: Socialists lose heavily http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26807739

The Local.fr, 31.03.14: 'French PM wanted to quit over poll losses' http://www.thelocal.fr/20140331/live-french-elections-local-france

France24, 31.03.14: French elections: How big is the far right’s success? http://www.france24.com/en/20140331-france-local-elections-how-big-was-far-right-success-national-front/

Deutsche Welle, 31.03.14: French socialists suffer heavy losses in local elections http://dw.de/p/1BYkn

The Guardian, 31.03.14: French Socialists suffer as far-right and conservatives sweep elections http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/30/anne-hidalgo-socialist-first-paris-mayor-front-national

Deutsche Welle, 30.03.14: Socialist Hidalgo set to become first woman mayor of Paris http://dw.de/p/1BYhz

Euro|Topics, 31.03.14: The French punish Hollande http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER141026-The-French-punish-Hollande

BBC News, 31.03.14: French President Hollande names Valls as new PM http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26826292

The Local.fr, 31.03.14: Manuel Valls: France's tough-talking new PM http://www.thelocal.fr/20140331/manuel-valls-the-right-man-to-lead-france

France24, 01.04.14: Hollande names Interior Minister Manuel Valls as France’s new prime minister http://www.france24.com/en/20140331-hollande-manuel-valls-new-pm-ayrault/

EurActiv, 01.04.14: Hollande appoints Valls as Prime Minister after election rout http://www.euractiv.com/sections/elections/hollande-appoints-valls-prime-minister-after-election-rout-301265

EUObserver, 01.04.14: France appoints 'top cop' interior minister as PM http://euobserver.com/political/123705

Euronews, 31.03.14: ‘I hear you’, Hollande tells French voters as Valls named PM http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/31/i-hear-you-hollande-tells-french-voters-as-valls-named-pm/

ESO: Background information: Hollande announces budget cuts, tax breaks http://www.europeansources.info/record/hollande-announces-budget-cuts-tax-breaks/

Deutsche Welle, 01.04.14: Hollande has 'no choice' on reform path http://dw.de/p/1BZMt

The Guardian, 01.04.14: Manuel Valls: a smart operator in the Blair mould http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/01/manuel-valls-french-prime-minister-profile

The Guardian, 31.03.14: This French result isn't a triumph for Le Pen – but it is a drubbing for Hollande http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/31/french-result-le-pen-hollande-national-front-president

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 01.04.14: The shock of Sunday’s French municipal elections was the Socialist defeat, not Front National success http://bit.ly/QzUR1s

Blog: 500 Signatures. French Politics and Elections Blog http://500signatures.net/

Euro|Topics, 01.04.14: Hollande's government shake-up http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER141107-Hollande-s-government-shake-up

Metapolls, 31.03.14: French Municipal elections 2014 – Second Round results http://metapolls.net/2014/03/31/french-municipal-elections-2014-second-round-results/

France24, 01.04.14: France’s Green party refuses to take part in new Valls govt http://www.france24.com/en/20140401-france-green-party-valls-government/

The New York Times, 01.04.14: National Front Wins Support and Elections http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/world/europe/moderation-pays-off-for-a-far-right-party-in-france.html

The Guardian, 02.04.14: Ségolène Royal returns in French cabinet reshuffle http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/02/segolene-royal-french-cabinet-reshuffle-manuel-valls

France 24, 30.04.14: No mosques or EU flags: France’s far-right mayors get down to business http://www.france24.com/en/20140430-no-mosques-or-eu-flags-france-far-right-mayors-get-down-business/

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