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Sarkozy's Party Loses Ground to Socialists

Parliamentary elections show left is alive, but Sarkozy's majority still solid

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 18, 2007 6:34 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The French left refused to roll over and play dead in parliamentary elections yesterday, giving Nicolas Sarkozy a smaller majority than expected. Sarkozy's Conservative Party won a strong enough mandate to push through its ambitious tax cuts and easing of labor restrictions, the New York Times reports, but loses some psychological momentum.

Socialists gained about 50 seats in the 577-seat Assembly, most notably defeating Alain Juppé, the minister of Sarkozy's high-profile new department of environment, transportation and energy. He announced that he will step down. Sarkozy has called a special summer session of Parliament to push through reforms while, the Times notes, most of the country is on vacation and disinclined to riot.

Socialist Segolene Royal casts her vote in the second round of the French parliamentary election, in Melle, southwestern France, Sunday, June 17, 2007. President Nicolas Sarkozy, aiming to push through his reform-driven renaissance of a morose France, looked set to win a powerful majority as the French voted in Sunday's...
Socialist Segolene Royal casts her vote in the second round of the French parliamentary election, in Melle, southwestern France, Sunday, June 17, 2007. President Nicolas Sarkozy, aiming to push through...   (Associated Press)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, center, shakes hands with supporters Tuesday, June 12, 2007 in Valdeblore southern France, before visiting The Mountain high school. (AP Photo / Patrick Kovarik, Pool)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, center, shakes hands with supporters Tuesday, June 12, 2007 in Valdeblore southern France, before visiting The Mountain high school. (AP Photo / Patrick Kovarik, Pool)   (Associated Press)
French parliament
French parliament   (Getty Images (by Event))
French National Assembly
French National Assembly   (Getty Images (by Event))
French parliament building
French parliament building   (Getty Images (by Event))
Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe   (Getty Images (by Event))
French Senior Minister Alain Juppe leaves Bordeaux city hall, Sunday, June 17, 2007, after he was beaten in parliamentary elections. Juppe said he intended to resign from French President Nicolas Sarkozy's government. Juppe's defeat is a severe blow to Sarkozy, who had ruled that ministers would have to leave his...
French Senior Minister Alain Juppe leaves Bordeaux city hall, Sunday, June 17, 2007, after he was beaten in parliamentary elections. Juppe said he intended to resign from French President Nicolas Sarkozy's...   (Associated Press)
French Senior Minister Alain Juppe leaves Bordeaux city hall, Sunday, June 17, 2007, after he was beaten in parliamentary elections. Juppe said he intended to resign from French President Nicolas Sarkozy's government. Juppe's defeat is a severe blow to Sarkozy, who had ruled that ministers would have to leave his...
French Senior Minister Alain Juppe leaves Bordeaux city hall, Sunday, June 17, 2007, after he was beaten in parliamentary elections. Juppe said he intended to resign from French President Nicolas Sarkozy's...   (Associated Press)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy sips an espresso at the conclusion of the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm, Germany in this June 8, 2007 file photo. Come Monday June 18, 2007, President Nicolas Sarkozy could be among Europe's most powerful leaders. With the government, parliament and top state bodies under his conservative...
French President Nicolas Sarkozy sips an espresso at the conclusion of the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm, Germany in this June 8, 2007 file photo. Come Monday June 18, 2007, President Nicolas Sarkozy could...   (Associated Press)
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Nicolas Sarkozy • France • French Parliament • Conservative Party • Socialist Party • Alain Juppé • election • French elections

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