French voters will choose their country's local leaders Sunday when they head to the polls in the second round of the 2014 municipal elections.
In the first round of the local elections last Sunday, France's far-right party, the National Front, won 7 percent for the first time in its history. Led by Marine Le Pen, the National Front finished on top in some cities, taking a key position for the second round.
Former President Nicolas Sarkozy's right-wing party, the Union for a Popular Movement, and its centrist allies lead the electoral race, achieving 46 percent of the national vote.
Incumbent President Francois Hollande's Socialist Party and its allies won 38 percent of the votes, an approximately 5 percent drop from its share in the 2008 municipal elections. The party's local leaders blame the government's 'unpopularity' for their party's loss of votes, claiming voters vent their anger.
However, analysts say the Socialist Party is expected to control at least 100 French towns with more than 10,000 inhabitants. The Socialists made a deal with the Greens to secure a narrow majority in the final round of the local elections.
President Hollande has spoken about possible tax cuts, reshuffling his government and replacing Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault. Analysts say Hollande might pick Laurent Fabius, who served as prime minister 30 years ago, or Manuel Valls, the current interior minister.
The first round of municipal elections was held on Sunday, March 23. The second round will be held on March 30 to renew all municipal councils in 36,682 French towns, cities and villages.
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