National Front deals Socialists blow in French local vote The farright National Front has dealt the ruling Socialists a devastating blow in the first round of local elections, reaching favourable positions in several cities for the second-round runoff next Sunday. In the former coal-mining town of Henin-Beaumont in northern France, Steeve Briois went a step further and achieved 50.3 percent, an absolute majority which made him the outright winner and mayor. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITE.