<p>A victory for the conservative UMP party, a major step forward for the far-right National Front and a lesser defeat than expected for the ruling Socialists. All this, along with a higher turnout than expected, meant the first round of the local elections last Sunday had nearly everyone smiling. We analyse the results.</p><br /><br />Visit our website:<br />http://www.france24.com<br /><br />Like us on Facebook:<br />https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English<br /><br />Follow us on Twitter:<br />https://twitter.com/France24_en
