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France: Front National victory

01 January 1997

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Catherine Mégret of the extreme right National Front (FN) gained 52.48% in the local elections in Vitrolles, near Marseille on 9 February. This gives the FN control over its fourth city in the south of France. Mrs Mégret stood in for her husband after he was disqualified for over-spending his campaign budget in 1995. As the deputy leader of the FN, Mr Mégret is known for supporting even more openly racist and neo-nazi positions than Le Pen. Clashes broke out that evening between supporters of the Socialist party and riot police after two town officials campaigning for the Socialist mayor were apparently deliberately run over by a car. Three people were later arrested. Mainstream parties have written off the FN victory as a protest vote from a depressed town. However, many of the issues in Vitrolles - high unemployment, immigration and corruption in the political establishment - may provide fertile ground for the FN in the general election next year.

Libération, 10.2.97; Independent, 10.2.&11.2.97; The Times, 10.& 11.2.97; Guardian, 10.2.97.

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