Le Pen’s anti-immigrant party set for local elections landslide

France’s anti-immigrant National Front was set to win a record number of town halls as early results showed a rout for President François Hollande’s ruling Socialists in local elections yesterday.

Partial tallies and exit polls showed the anti-EU party of Marine Le Pen on track to secure power in 10 town halls around the country, easily surpassing its record in the 1990s when it ruled in four towns. The mainstream right also made gains.

The Socialist losses will raise speculation of a cabinet reshuffle as early as today as Hollande, the most unpopular leader in France’s 56-year-old fifth republic (constitution), seeks to turn around the economy.