These local elections in France are being seen as a breakthrough for the far-right.
Marine Le Pen's anti immigration National Front Party made significant gains, winning an outright majority in one town on the first round.
. (SOUNDBITE) (French) HEAD OF NATIONAL FRONT MARINE LE PEN SAYING:
"The essential significance of this big success for our movement is that the National Front Bleu Marine (Le Pen's movement) following is no longer only a national force, it's also from now on a great local force. It's a vote which has a calling to take roots in all the territories of the Republic to prepare for tomorrow's alternative."
The FN won around five percent of the vote -- a high amount, given that it fielded candidates in only 600 of around 36,000 constituencies across France.
But it's believed that these candidates have little chance of gaining control of the town halls, as they will be beaten in round two.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRIME MINISTER JEAN