France has been convulsed by the unexpected success of the far-right politician, Jean-Marie Le Pen, in the first round of the country's presidential election. Thousands of people took to the streets in Paris and other cities in France, after the announcement of the preliminary results, to demonstrate against Mr Le Pen and his anti-immigration policies. In the most staggering election result in European politics in years, Mr Le Pen won enough votes to take on Jacques Chirac to become the President of France. With nearly all of the votes counted, it has become clear that the Socialist Prime Minister, Lionel Jospin, has been eliminated as incumbent President Chirac's rival in round two on 5 May. Speaking after it appeared that he would be knocked out of the poll, Mr Jospin said the result had come as a bolt of thunder and that he would quit politics after the second round of the election. His party later called for its supporters to back conservative President Chirac in the second round to prevent an unexpected victory for Mr Le Pen.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!