article_snippet: France's ruling Socialists suffered a crushing defeat in regional elections last night - as three years of left-wing rule was branded a 'massive failure'.
article_snippet: France's ruling Socialists under Francois Hollande's (pictured) suffered a crushing defeat in regional elections last night - as three years of left-wing rule was branded a 'massive failure' Even the Correze department Francois Hollande's home turf in the south west - was won by the UMP.
article_snippet: Also highlighting the 'failure' of the Socialists, was the far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen.
article_snippet: Calling on Manuel Valls, the Socialist Prime Minister, 'to resign', the far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen said the far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen anti-immigration and anti-Europe party had a huge part to play in the future of France.
article_snippet: Manuel Valls, the Socialist Prime Minister, conceded 'incontestable' electoral defeat soon after the polls closed at 8pm.
article_snippet: Far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen (pictured) also highlighted the 'failure' of the Socialists .
article_snippet: Noting increased extremism in his country, Manuel Valls, the Socialist Prime Minister said: 'Far-right gains in local elections are a sign of lasting change in the French political system'.
article_snippet: Yesterday represented the Socialists third political battering in a year - they were roundly beaten in municipal and European elections last May.