16 December, 2015
In France, an anti-immigrant political party has lost regional elections.
The National Front had led in at least six of the country's 13 regions in the first part of elections last week.
But early results of the second round of elections show the Republican party of former President Nicolas Sarkozy and his center-right allies leading in seven regions. The governing Socialist and other leftist parties have won in at least five.
The National Front has gained support in recent years, namely in local elections in March and in European Union elections last year. The terrorist attack in Paris last month was another factor.
The party wants France to leave the European Union and strengthen security. It also wants immigrants and those seeking asylum to be removed from the country.
I'm Anna Matteo.
Correspondent Lisa Bryant reported this story from Paris. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it into VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.
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Words in This Story
region – n. a part of a country or the world that is different or separate from other parts in some way
leftist – adj. belonging to or supporting the political left
round – n. one of a series of similar events
asylum – n. protection given by a government to someone who has left another country in order to escape being harmed