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Sarkosy and UMP suffer losses in French municipal polls

10/03/2008

French president Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling UMP party has suffered losses, but to a lesser extent than predicted, in the country's municipal elections.

Political analysts had predicted the centre-right party to lose out in a major backlash against Sarkozy, whose approval ratings have slumped since he swept to power in the general election last year.

Many believe his grasp of the economy has been poor and his political movements have been overshadowed by his private life after he hit the headlines for marrying French pop star Carla Bruni.

However, while Sarkosy was being predicated to have to endure a difficult night at the polls there were several high spots for him.

In Bordeaux and other southern cities, former prime minister Alain Juppe was one of several right-wingers to be re-elected mayor - with six being voted straight back into office and seven going to run-off elections.

The overall national vote, although a reversal of the UMP's majority share, was less of a defeat than had been mooted beforehand.

The left won 47.94 per cent of the vote, while centre-right parties earned a 45.49 per cent share.

In the important ballots in France's top two cities, Paris and Lyon, the socialists maintained control, although to do so in the capital there will first be a run-off ballot later this week.