French voters` quiet extreme right wind

The extreme right National Front Party was completely defeated at a French regional election final vote on Sunday, which took place one month after the November 13 serial terrorist attacks. The party rose to No. 1 at the first stage of election on December 6 helped by anti-Islam sentiment, but took an unexpected hit at the final vote that took place on candidates who got No. 1 and 2 votes.

At the medium count of the final vote, the National Front party failed to rank No. 1 for all 13 provinces. In contrast, the center-right Republican Party led by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy won at seven, and center-left and leading Socialist Party won at five areas. The Republican Party won at the Paris metropolitan area for the first time in 17 years. Based on voting rate, the Republican Party ranked No. 1 with 40 percent, Socialist Party 30 percent and National Front 28 percent.

French far-right National Front Party leader Marine Le Pen who had been expected to lose to former Labor Minister and Republican Party candidate Xavier Bertrand 57 percent vs. 43 percent at Nord-Pas-de-Calais Picardie. Le Pen`s niece, Marion Marechal-Le Pen, lost 45.5 percent vs. 54.5 percent to Republican Christian Estrosi at Provence-Alpes-Côte d`Azur. The Socialist Party supported the Republican Party at these two areas by retiring its two runners to block the Front National Party`s win.

Feeling a sense of crisis due to the Front National`s rise, centrist voters rushed to vote, which appears to be one factor behind Front National`s loss. This year, regional election final voting rates surged to 58 percent from 43 percent five years ago. "Barricade strategy against anti-extremists" of the Republican and Social parties also appears to have worked, while Front National`s surge became "a storm in a teacup" in just a week.

Nevertheless, the Front National Party confirmed its vast 6.6 million people support base at the final vote as it churned out many members at the regional congress across the nation, securing an important foothold for the 2017 elections. "It was a result of the Socialist party`s mudslinging of Front National," Le Pen said on the outcome of results. "This election showed that Front National`s surge can`t be blocked by anyone and we will revenge at the 2018 presidential elections." French Prime Minister Manuel Valls didn`t lower guard, saying, "Front National`s threat hasn`t disappeared."

raphy@donga.com