Le Pen loses bid for power in France after second round of elections

Despite last week’s success France’s far-right National Front (FN) failed to win a single region in Sunday’s elections. The dismal results forced FN leader Marine Le Pen to abandon her hopes of becoming president in 2017. Initial success gave the party leader hope for a dramatic breakthrough and exploit France’s heightened fear of uncontrolled immigration and terrorism following the November 13 Paris attacks that left 130 dead.

Le Pen said she would keep fighting to expand voter support for the FN and rather than see the loss, she chose to take the victory of the party in the first round as a positive sign.