French local elections: Why they matter

Features previewing the local / regional elections in France in March 2015. The elections were said to provide a snapshot of the changing political landscape in the country.

An Ifop poll for Le Figaro one week before the election showed the Front National just ahead of the UMP, and the governing Socialist Party a distant third.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EP refers alleged French National Front financial irregularities to OLAF http://www.europeansources.info/record/ep-refers-alleged-french-national-front-financial-irregularities-to-olaf/

The Local.fr, 05.03.15: Far-right National Front set to 'kidnap France' http://www.thelocal.fr/20150305/national-front-set-to-storm-another-election

Wikipedia: French departemental elections, 2015 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_departemental_elections,_2015

EurActiv, 16.03.15: National Front likely to emerge as first force in French local elections http://www.euractiv.com/sections/elections/national-front-likely-emerge-first-force-french-local-elections-312911

Deutsche Welle, 21.03.15: Polls: Far-right ahead of conservatives and socialists at French municipal election http://dw.de/p/1Ev4r

The Local.fr, 20.03.15: France divided as Le Pen heads for election win http://www.thelocal.fr/20150320/france-divided-as-le-pen-storms-into-elections

---