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Sarkozy party poll blow predicted Poll setback for Sarkozy's party
(about 2 hours later)
President Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling UMP conservative party is trailing in the first round of French local elections.President Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling UMP conservative party is trailing in the first round of French local elections.
With results still being counted, polls taken after voting ended suggest the opposition socialists have made gains ahead of next week's second round. Early results, based on a count of 65.7% of votes, put the UMP at 45.5% with the opposition socialists at 47%.
The vote is seen as a test of Mr Sarkozy's first year in office. His popularity has fallen in recent months.The vote is seen as a test of Mr Sarkozy's first year in office. His popularity has fallen in recent months.
However, the socialists' lead is smaller than some predicted, and the outcome in some large cities in particular remains finely balanced.
Socialist leader Francois Hollande said voters had sent a warning to Mr Sarkozy and the government over its policies.Socialist leader Francois Hollande said voters had sent a warning to Mr Sarkozy and the government over its policies.
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%. The Socialists are expected to hold on to power in Paris and Lyon and exit polls suggested they could also take Marseille, Strasbourg and Toulouse from Mr Sarkozy's party.
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. But although UMP head Patrick Devedjian admitted earlier that the results were "not good", another conservative said there had been no "pink wave" - meaning no surge of left-wing support across the country.
The second round run-off is scheduled for 16 March.
Public dismayPublic dismay
Prime Minister Francois Fillon accused the opposition of "mixing up local and national issues", according to AFP news agency.
But UMP head Patrick Devedjian admitted on television that the results were "not good".
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.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.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.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.
He has insisted there will be no cabinet reshuffle, and that his reform programme will go ahead regardless.
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.