The recent local elections in France delivered a blow to the governing Socialist party and its president François Hollande, with the centre-right opposition obtaining 49% of the votes against the Socialists’ 42%.

A warning signal for both big parties is the success of the far-right National Front, or Front National Party (FN). Marine Le Pen, who heads the Party, triumphed in the French television: "The Front National has now become a major independent force − a political force both at national and local level". In several cities, partially former Socialist regions, the FN even won an outright victory. After the second round of local elections, the FN now will govern eight important French cities (more than 10,000 inhabitants).

Accepting of the responsibility for the loss, the Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault resigned on Monday 31 March; the President appointed the current Minister of Interior Manuel Valls as the future Prime Minister.