It is the first time an election in France has been held under a state of emergency. Security has been stepped up at polling stations, with armed police and soldiers patrolling in the capital and security guards checking voters’ bags.
Under its leader, Marine Le Pen, the Front National had already been predicted to make gains in the regional elections long before the November attacks, but since then polls have shown a boost for her party and a resolve among far-right sympathisers to turn out to vote.
The Front National could top the poll nationwide and come first in as many as six out 13 regions in Sunday’s first round – this would be a historic moment for the party, which has never before held the leadership of a French region.
The final result will be decided in a second round of voting on 13 December. Polls show that the Front National could ultimately take control of at least two large regions. Even winning one region would be seen as a major victory for the party that has never before held these constituencies. The party has been building a grassroots presence across France in order to move from a simple protest vote to a party with a serious strategy to take power across France. Le Pen hopes these regional elections will boost her chances in the presidential race of 2017.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/06/far-right-tipped-for-big-gains-as-france-votes-in-first-elections-after-attacks
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