The Conservative Party (UMP) of former President Nicolas Sarkzoy emerged clearly ahead in the first round of French local elections Sunday, distancing ruling Socialists led by President Francois Hollande by close to eight percent in the ballot.
The Union for a Popular Majority party, allied with the Union for Democratic Independents (UDI) received 36 percent of votes Sunday, according to exit polls, while the Socialists and left-wing allies got 28.5 percent. The extreme-right National Front party, which has been gaining ground in France, got an estimated 24.5 percent.
Voter turnout was higher than expected at just over 50 percent.
Socialist Prime Minister Manuel Valls said in a statement after the exit polls that the ruling parties had received an "honourable score" and noted the left wing parties had roughly the same voting levels as the right-wing parties.
He called for all supporters of French Republican values to join together to block the National Front in the second round in a week's time.
Nevertheless, there is no denying a clear move to the right by the French electorate and the prospect that local government will fall largely into the hands of the conservatives in the second round.