Sarkozy's Party Creamed by Left in French Vote

Socialist Party comes out ahead in French regional elections

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 15, 2010 4:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – Dissatisfied French voters dealt Nicolas Sarkozy's center-right ruling party a major blow in regional elections yesterday. Amid record-low turnout, Socialist and other leftist candidates dominated the first round of votes for France's 26 regional governments, AP reports. The far-right National Front also had its strongest showing in years.

Sarkozy dismissed his party's battering as "regional voting, regional consequences," although the increasingly unpopular leader has already signaled that he plans to slow down the pace of his reforms, the New York Times notes. Socialist leader Martine Aubry urged leftist voters to show their strength again in the next round of voting and "give a win to hope" that Sarkozy can be turned out in France's 2012 federal election.

Martine Aubry, head of France's Socialist Party, gestures while speaking to the media at the party's headquarters in Paris yesterday. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French President Nicolas Sarkozy delivers a speech after visiting a helicopter manufacturer in southern France earlier this month. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)

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Sarkozy's Party Creamed by Left in French Vote

Socialist Party comes out ahead in French regional elections

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Pamela Druckerman: They teach their kids patience

Czechs, Brits Reject Deal to Save EU Economy

Critics attack European Union's fiscal belt-tightening deal

Sarkozy Unveils 'Robin Hood' Tax

Financial transactions to be taxed starting this summer

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France will withdraw combat troops by the end of 2013

France Making It a Crime to Deny Armenian Genocide

Turkey expected to withdraw ambassador

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Sarkozy's Party Creamed by Left in French Vote

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Nicolas Sarkozy • France • Socialist Party • Martine Aubry

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

Why French Parents Are Better

Pamela Druckerman: They teach their kids patience

Czechs, Brits Reject Deal to Save EU Economy

Critics attack European Union's fiscal belt-tightening deal

Sarkozy Unveils 'Robin Hood' Tax

Financial transactions to be taxed starting this summer

Sarkozy Wants Out of Afghanistan Next Year

France will withdraw combat troops by the end of 2013

France Making It a Crime to Deny Armenian Genocide

Turkey expected to withdraw ambassador

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Newser By Users

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