Far right falters as conservatives lead French regional vote
Priest Eloi Gillet leaves the voting booth as he votes for the regional elections in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Priest Eloi Gillet leaves the voting booth as he votes for the regional elections in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Jun. 20, 2021 04:30 AM EDT
Far-right leader Marine le Pen smiles as he visits a divers school in Frejus, southern France, Thursday, June 17, 2021. Although the winner of Sundays June 20 and 27 in the regional elections will only deal with local issues, Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National (National Rally) party could for the first time capture one of France's 13 regions. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Far-right leader Marine le Pen smiles as he visits a divers school in Frejus, southern France, Thursday, June 17, 2021. Although the winner of Sundays June 20 and 27 in the regional elections will only deal with local issues, Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National (National Rally) party could for the first time capture one of France's 13 regions. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Jun. 17, 2021 11:53 AM EDT
French President Emmanuel Macron greets voters during the first round of French regional and departmental elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (Christian Hartmann/Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron greets voters during the first round of French regional and departmental elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (Christian Hartmann/Pool via AP)

Jun. 20, 2021 07:54 AM EDT
A voter picks up ballots before voting for the regional elections in Lyon, central France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

A voter picks up ballots before voting for the regional elections in Lyon, central France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Jun. 20, 2021 06:34 AM EDT
French President Emmanuel Macron chats with his wife Brigitte during the first round of French regional and departmental elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (Christian Hartmann/Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron chats with his wife Brigitte during the first round of French regional and departmental elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (Christian Hartmann/Pool via AP)

Jun. 20, 2021 07:50 AM EDT
People vote during regional elections in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. Marine Le Pen's far-right party is riding high on her tough-on-security, stop-immigration message as French voters started choosing regional leaders Sunday in an election that many see as a dress rehearsal for next year's presidential vote. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

People vote during regional elections in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. Marine Le Pen's far-right party is riding high on her tough-on-security, stop-immigration message as French voters started choosing regional leaders Sunday in an election that many see as a dress rehearsal for next year's presidential vote. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Jun. 20, 2021 11:55 AM EDT
French President Emmanuel Macron shows his passport while his wife Brigitte waits during the first round of French regional and departmental elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (Christian Hartmann/Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron shows his passport while his wife Brigitte waits during the first round of French regional and departmental elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (Christian Hartmann/Pool via AP)

Jun. 20, 2021 07:55 AM EDT
A woman casts her vote during regional elections in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. Marine Le Pen's far-right party is riding high on her tough-on-security, stop-immigration message as French voters started choosing regional leaders Sunday in an election that many see as a dress rehearsal for next year's presidential vote. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

A woman casts her vote during regional elections in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. Marine Le Pen's far-right party is riding high on her tough-on-security, stop-immigration message as French voters started choosing regional leaders Sunday in an election that many see as a dress rehearsal for next year's presidential vote. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Jun. 20, 2021 11:55 AM EDT
A woman casts her vote during regional elections in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. Marine Le Pen's far-right party is riding high on her tough-on-security, stop-immigration message as French voters started choosing regional leaders Sunday in an election that many see as a dress rehearsal for next year's presidential vote. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

A woman casts her vote during regional elections in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. Marine Le Pen's far-right party is riding high on her tough-on-security, stop-immigration message as French voters started choosing regional leaders Sunday in an election that many see as a dress rehearsal for next year's presidential vote. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Jun. 20, 2021 11:55 AM EDT
A man stands in a voting booth as he vots for the regional elections in Lyon, central France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

A man stands in a voting booth as he vots for the regional elections in Lyon, central France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Jun. 20, 2021 06:34 AM EDT
French President Emmanuel Macron waves during the first round of French regional and departmental elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (Christian Hartmann/Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron waves during the first round of French regional and departmental elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (Christian Hartmann/Pool via AP)

Jun. 20, 2021 08:10 AM EDT
Electoral campaign boards are pictured during regional elections in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. Marine Le Pen's far-right party is riding high on her tough-on-security, stop-immigration message as French voters started choosing regional leaders Sunday in an election that many see as a dress rehearsal for next year's presidential vote. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Electoral campaign boards are pictured during regional elections in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. Marine Le Pen's far-right party is riding high on her tough-on-security, stop-immigration message as French voters started choosing regional leaders Sunday in an election that many see as a dress rehearsal for next year's presidential vote. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Jun. 20, 2021 02:11 PM EDT
French President Emmanuel Macron leaves the voting booth during the first round of French regional and departmental elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (Christian Hartmann/Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron leaves the voting booth during the first round of French regional and departmental elections, in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, northern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (Christian Hartmann/Pool via AP)

Jun. 20, 2021 07:46 AM EDT
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen leaves the voting booth before voting for the regional elections in Henin-Beaumont, northern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. Marine Le Pen's far right party is riding high on her tough-on-security, stop-immigration message as French voters start choosing regional leaders Sunday in an election that's seen as a dress rehearsal for next year's presidential vote. (AP Photo)

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen leaves the voting booth before voting for the regional elections in Henin-Beaumont, northern France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. Marine Le Pen's far right party is riding high on her tough-on-security, stop-immigration message as French voters start choosing regional leaders Sunday in an election that's seen as a dress rehearsal for next year's presidential vote. (AP Photo)

Jun. 20, 2021 06:33 AM EDT
A voter exits a voting booth as they vote for the regional elections in Lyon, central France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

A voter exits a voting booth as they vote for the regional elections in Lyon, central France, Sunday, June 20, 2021. The elections for leadership councils of France's 13 regions, from Brittany to Burgundy to the French Riviera, are primarily about local issues like transportation, schools and infrastructure. But leading politicians are using them as a platform to test ideas and win followers ahead of the April presidential election. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Jun. 20, 2021 02:16 PM EDT
Far-right leader Marine le Pen smiles during a press conference in Toulon, southern France, Thursday, June 17, 2021. Although the winner of Sundays June 20 and 27 in the regional elections will only deal with local issues, Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National (National Rally) party could for the first time capture one of France's 13 regions. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Far-right leader Marine le Pen smiles during a press conference in Toulon, southern France, Thursday, June 17, 2021. Although the winner of Sundays June 20 and 27 in the regional elections will only deal with local issues, Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National (National Rally) party could for the first time capture one of France's 13 regions. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Jun. 17, 2021 09:03 AM EDT