Sarkozy suffers setback in local poll

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.