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French local poll to test Sarkozy Sarkozy party poll blow predicted
(about 14 hours later)
French people are voting in local elections, in which left-wing opponents of President Nicolas Sarkozy hope to benefit from his low approval ratings. President Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling UMP conservative party is trailing in the first round of French local elections.
The Socialists and their allies are expected to hold on to municipal power in Paris and the second city, Lyon. With results still being counted, polls taken after voting ended suggest the opposition socialists have made gains ahead of next week's second round.
The left is also seeking to capture major cities, including Marseille in the south and Strasbourg in the east. The vote is seen as a test of Mr Sarkozy's first year in office. His popularity has fallen in recent months.
Mr Sarkozy, who was elected last May, has seen his popularity drop in recent months, mostly over his private life. Socialist leader Francois Hollande said voters had sent a warning to Mr Sarkozy and the government over its policies.
Correspondents say his divorce three months into his presidency and remarriage with supermodel Carla Bruni have turned off many voters - as have his well-publicised holidays with the rich and famous. Although many first round results have not yet been declared, especially in larger cities, according to a CSA institute telephone survey taken after polls closed at 2000 (1900 GMT), the socialists were estimated to have taken 47.5% of votes, with the UMP on 40%.
Ratings slump The Socialists are expected to hold on to power in Paris and Lyon and exit polls suggest they could also take Marseille, Strasbourg and Toulouse from Mr Sarkozy's party.
The local elections are being held in two rounds - the second one takes place a week later. Public dismay
In Paris, popular Socialist mayor Bertrand Delanoe is expected to defeat a challenge by centre-right candidate Francoise de Panafieu. Prime Minister Francois Fillon accused the opposition of "mixing up local and national issues", according to AFP news agency.
In Lyon, polls also suggest that Socialist Gerard Collomb - who has been in office since 2001, like Mr Delanoe - will also easily win re-election. But UMP head Patrick Devedjian admitted on television that the results were "not good".
In an interview with Le Figaro newspaper on Thursday, Mr Sarkozy played down the expected losses of his UMP party. The BBC's Alasdair Sandford in Paris says that the vote is being seen as one of disapproval over Mr Sarkozy's first 10 months in power.
Many French people have complained that promised reforms have failed to improve their standard of living, while the president's high-profile private life raised concerns among some that he was neglecting his public duties, our correspondent says.
In an interview with Le Figaro newspaper on Thursday, Mr Sarkozy played down the expected UMP losses.
"The crucial date for me is the end of my term" in 2012, he said."The crucial date for me is the end of my term" in 2012, he said.
The president's approval ratings reached 67% in July last year.The president's approval ratings reached 67% in July last year.
But recent opinion polls suggest up to two-thirds of French voters now disapprove of his policies.But recent opinion polls suggest up to two-thirds of French voters now disapprove of his policies.