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Sarkozy faces local poll setback Sarkozy's party suffers at polls
(about 1 hour later)
Votes are being counted in France in a second round of local elections, with President Sarkozy's opponents likely to benefit from his falling popularity. President Nicolas Sarkozy's right-wing UMP party has suffered a serious setback in the second round of the French local elections.
The Socialists and their allies are hoping to win the municipalities of Marseilles, Toulouse and Strasbourg. Early estimates suggest the opposition socialists have gained Toulouse, Strasbourg and Caen. They also held onto the power bases of Paris and Lyon.
In the first round, on 9 March, the Socialists won 47.5% of votes, ahead of Mr Sarkozy's UMP, with 44.4%. These polls focus on local issues like parks and nursery schools.
But the BBC's Emma-Jane Kirby in Paris says many have used their votes to show their disapproval of the government.
In the first round, on 9 March, the Socialists won 47.5% of votes, ahead of the UMP on 44.4%.
Mr Sarkozy, who was elected last May, has seen his poll ratings fall, mostly over unease over his private life.Mr Sarkozy, who was elected last May, has seen his poll ratings fall, mostly over unease over his private life.
Correspondents say his recent divorce three months into his presidency and remarriage to supermodel Carla Bruni have turned off many voters - as have his well-publicised holidays with the rich and famous.Correspondents say his recent divorce three months into his presidency and remarriage to supermodel Carla Bruni have turned off many voters - as have his well-publicised holidays with the rich and famous.
Ratings slumpRatings slump
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 only one in four French voters now approve of his policies.But recent opinion polls suggest only one in four French voters now approve of his policies.
Mr Sarkozy is preparing himself for a poor result. Mr Sarkozy had prepared himself for a poor result.
"The people will have spoken. I will naturally take into account what they expressed," he said last week in Toulon."The people will have spoken. I will naturally take into account what they expressed," he said last week in Toulon.
The first round of voting saw the Socialists win key victories across the country.The first round of voting saw the Socialists win key victories across the country.
In Paris, popular Socialist mayor Bertrand Delanoe beat off a challenge from centre-right candidate Francoise de Panafieu to win a second term. In Paris, popular Socialist Mayor Bertrand Delanoe beat off a challenge from centre-right candidate Francoise de Panafieu to win a second term.
And in Lyon, Socialist Gerard Collomb also comfortably won re-election.And in Lyon, Socialist Gerard Collomb also comfortably won re-election.