Socialists defeat Sarkozy's UMP in regional polls‎
Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:32:53 GMT


Nicolas Sarkozy (L) and the head of the French Socialist party, Martine Aubry.‎
Exit polls indicate that the Socialists have gained the upper hand over President Nicolas Sarkozy's UMP party in France's regional elections, suggesting the center-right is heading for a big defeat.

The Socialists garnered 30 percent of the vote in Sunday's first round of regional elections with the UMP and its closest allies obtaining as little as 26.5 percent, exit polls showed.

However, the abstention rate was put at some 52 percent, which is a record for a regional election.

The survey also showed that the far-right National Front had done surprisingly well.

After the announcement of his party's defeat, Sarkozy played down the importance of the elections, saying his reform drive would not be affected in any way.

The Socialists' win in the first round gives the party a hefty boost after years of bitter infighting, Reuters reported late on Sunday.

A second round ballot will be staged March 21, with leading parties going forward to the conclusive vote which will decide who runs France's 26 regions.

The March 14 poll results forecast a punishment for Sarkozy's ruling party in the last ballot-box test of his popularity ahead of the 2012 presidential election.

Political analysts say Sarkozy's declining popularity is due to rising unemployment, the growing strain on public finances, and a series of controversies over issues ranging from lavish executive pay to immigration and security.

FTP/HGL

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