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Sarkozy suffers setback in local poll
French voters have dealt a stinging warning to President Nicolas Sarkozy by throwing his party out of office in a string of towns and cities.
- Agencies
- Published: 09:51 March 17, 2008
Paris: French voters have dealt a stinging warning to President Nicolas Sarkozy by throwing his party out of office in a string of towns and cities, a ballot box setback that prompted immediate promises of reinvigorated reforms from his government.
The reverses in municipal elections Sunday for mayors and city councillors were a sobering reminder of how the 53-year-old Sarkozy has shrunk in the estimation of some voters since he was elected last May on a program of in-depth economic and social change for France.
Sarkozy's prime minister, Francois Fillon, insisted, however, that the government would forge ahead with its programme of sweeping reform for France – despite demands for a change of tack from opposition Socialists buoyed by their strong showing in the elections.
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