UMP

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy announced that his UMP party will change its name and will be called “Les Républicains” (The Republicans). Sarkozy aims to change the image of his party and prepare for national elections in 2017.

Center-right opposition UMP party has claimed victory in Sunday's second tour of French local elections.

Ten to fifteen towns could fall into the far-right National Front (FN)'s hands, according to various reports.

FN is poised to install mayors or councilors in some 200 places across France.