Lists of right-wing opposition parties secured more gains in France's local elections' first round.

According to data released by the Interior Ministry, the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) won 46.44 percent of the votes, outpacing the Socialist Party and allies that collected 38.2 percent amid growing discontent over the government's policy that failed to reach healthy finances and lower unemployment rate set at 11 percent.

With the government weakened by a series of policy mishaps of his members and the main opposition party UMP hit by corruption scandals, the National Front (FN), advocating for anti-immigrant policy, targets to see 1,000 to 1,500 candidates elected to municipal councils, an expected sharp gain compared with 60 won in the last municipal elections in 2008.

In face of growing support of the far-rightists, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault called on "all democratic and republican forces" to prevent the election of FN mayors.

The second round of France's municipal elections was scheduled next Sunday. Endi

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