BBC NEWS - EUROSCEPTIC EARTHQUAKE ROCKS EU ELECTIONS: FRANCE NATIONAL FRONT 26%

Marine Le Pen's National Front has come first in France's elections to the European Parliament according to exit polls, in what PM Manuel Valls has declared a "political earthquake". Eurosceptic parties appeared also to have made big gains in other countries, coming first in Denmark and Greece. The centre-right EPP looked set to be the biggest bloc in parliament. Turnout in the election was 43.1%, according to provisional European Parliament figures - up on last time. That would be the first time turnout had not fallen since the previous election - but would only be an improvement of 0.1%. Highlights (based on exit polls/ provisional results) France National Front storm to victory - 26%, 25 seats; Centre-right UMP 21%; President Hollande's Socialists a poor third with 14% - lowest ever EP score Britain Eurosceptic UKIP heading for first place, with 29%. Conservatives and Labour about 23% each. Greens beating Lib Dems. Italy Centre-left PM Matteo Renzi scores strong 40%, fending off ex-comic Beppe Grillo's anti-establishment Five Star with 22%, and ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia with 16% Germany Angela Merkel wins another election - 36% for her Christian Union, 27% for the centre-left SPD. Eurosceptic AfD score strong 7%. Greece Early results show far-left Syriza on 26%, PM Antonis Samaras' New Democracy on 23%. Far-right Golden Dawn set to get three MEPs, with 9% "The people have spoken loud and clear," a triumphant Marine Le Pen told cheering supporters at National Front (FN) party headquarters in Paris. "They no longer want to be led by those outside our borders, by EU commissioners and technocrats who are unelected. They want to be protected from globalisation and take back the reins of their destiny." Provisional results suggested the FN could win 25 European Parliament seats - a stunning increase on its three in 2009. The party also issued an extraordinary statement accusing the government of vote-rigging. READ MORE AT: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27559714