France: Homophobic and anti-Semitic National Front win elections
A far-right party known to be homophobic and opposed to same-sex marriage has dominated France’s European Election vote, while its leader called for the pro-same-sex marriage President to dissolve the country’s parliament.
The National Front party, led by Marine Le Pen, won its first victory in the election, gaining around 25% of the vote, exit polls revealed.
Polls estimate that the group will hold between 22 and 25 seats in the European Parliament, up from three it currently has.
On the announcement of the vote, Le Pen called for President Francois Hollande to dissolve France’s parliament. Hollande was heavily supportive of same-sex marriage, and signed a law to allow it last May, despite some right-wing opposition.
She asked: “What else can the president do after such a rejection?”, going on to say: “It is unacceptable that the assembly should be so unrepresentative of the French people.”
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls called the result “an earthquake” for France and Europe.
The centre-right UMP gained around 20% of the vote.
Le Pen last week became embroiled in a fight with UKIP leader Nigel Farage, who accused her party of “anti-semitism and general prejudice.” UKIP is on course to win the European election in the UK.
The right-wing English Democrats last week announced their intention of working with the French National Front, if they had been elected. Sadly they gained no seats, and candidate Julia Gasper who said PinkNews readers should be sectioned under the Mental Health Act was not elected in the South East region.
Exit polls from across Europe show that far-right parties such as the National Front and Greece’s Golden Dawn have gained ground, as well as hard-left parties.
