FACE-OFF : The first round of a by-election in eastern France has become a national litmus test for the mainstream political parties. With the far-right National Front candidate coming out on top ahead of his socialist rival, the conservative is eliminated from the race. And forced to choose between two bad choices ahead of the second round next Sunday: either back the socialist in the name of a republican front against the extreme-right or let voters simply decide. The party is divided. Visit our website: http://www.france24.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_c… Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.Eng… Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/France24_en Guest AuthorAll Guest Author Posts are submitted or…