Rise of National Front/far right in France

Thank you Granjura, it has been very worrying

Thanks for that Granjura - I didn't think the results would be out so early.
what a relief!
There must have been a bigger turnout this time.

Pheew, it looks like the French came to their senses on the second tour- but even so, even though the NF has not won any region- they still got a significatn % of the vote all over France- which is still hugely concerning.

I bought the paper with the departmental results this morning and at the moment it's a close thing between the Socialists, who took 5 of the 8 depts in our region, and the FN who aren't far behind, taking the other 3.
We live in the Midi Pyrenees which has a strong left tradition, almost communist. Even so the FN canvassers were out in force in Mirande market this morning. One of them tried to give me a leaflet so I told him I can't vote(as immigrants we can only vote in local elections) and even if I could I wouldn't vote for Alliot. I should have added first because I'm a socialist, second because I'm an english immigrant and third because I'm a Jew, so definitely at risk!
They're quick to cash in on the recent terrible events.

leyburn- perhaps you could elaborate on what you mean exactly- thanks.

People on the other side of the border here- in Eastern France, have voted massively for the NF, and yet there are practically no immigrants, especially few of Northern African/Muslim background- so their way of life is not threatened. And yet- they really resent any bad feeling expressed by those whose job they take everyday, often at lower rates- from another country- and call them 'racist' for objecting. Bizarre.

France is reaping the excesses of their colonial past in North Africa- but in a very different way to the UK- where the British in general are so much more tolerant - they expect immigrants to integrate and learn the language, etc, but at the same time accept that their culture is also important to them.

That is worrying, and just the sort of scenario that I have been fearing in the UK for some time now.

I hope and pray the second round will halt them

I am not surprised either. Playing into the terrorists' hands - just the sort of scenario that will make them happy. The sort of policies that the far right are likely to pursue will fuel their fire good and proper.

Why are they Far Right? Just because they dont want to see their culture destroyed?

Sadly this result does not surprise me at all.

Not sure what else to say.