France's National Front makes electoral gains

France's far-right National Front party has made significant gains in local elections, winning an outright majority in one town on the first round. The party is in first place in some other towns it is targeting, according to projections. President Francois Hollande's Socialists have lost ground overall and may lose control of some major towns. The vote is seen as a key test for the Socialists, deeply unpopular after nearly two years in power.
Background:
France election: National Front makes gains [BBC]
French National Front gains in local vote as Socialists lag [Bloomberg]