France's Sarkozy loses out to Socialists in regional elections

[FarCenter]

Early results suggest that French President Nicolas Sarkozy's UMP party is staring defeat in the face after the first round of regional elections. The Socialists and other left-wing parties have won close to 53 percent of the vote compared with the conservative election aggregate of about 40 percent.

The far-right National Front party of Jean-Marie Le Pen surprised observers, receiving almost 12 percent of the votes cast.

Only the leading parties will proceed to the second round of voting on March 21, although this fact could hurt Sarkozy even more, pollsters predict, as voters for other left wing parties switch allegiance to the Socialists.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: These election winners will have only limited powers
Another problem for Sarkozy was the low turnout rate, with an estimated 52 percent of voters not casting a ballot - and pollsters believe this could help explain Sarkozy's struggles, with his supporters lacking motivation to vote.

Sarkozy has been trying to downplay the ballot to elect regional councils across France, saying the results were unlikely to change either his policy or cabinet decisions in the future. He has been saying these local elections are ultimately about local issues. However, Sarkozy added last week that he would be "attentive" to what voters say, and suggested that slight cabinet reshuffles are a possibility.

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