French local elections got under way today, a test for conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose plummeting popularity has given an advantage to the left and center parties.
It's the first fround to elect mayors, deputy mayors, municipal and cantonal/departemental councilors. A final round - if necessary - will be on March 16.
Quote: In many ways, the election is on purely local issues and candidates. But pundits like Steven Ekovich at the American University of Paris believe French voters may also air their grievances against President Nicolas Sarkozy at the ballot box, hurting his ruling Union for a Popular Movement, or UMP.
"I think it's mostly going to be, and I'll underline the word 'mostly,' a kind of referendum on the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy," he said. "I say mostly because local politicians for these kinds of elections do count, after all. But wherever it's going to be close, I think that the unpopuarity of the president will make a difference."
Mr. Sarkozy presented himself as a fresh and energetic face last April when he was elected to office. But his popularity faded swiftly apparently over a series of unpopular reforms, the faltering economy, and the president's own abrasive personality. A poll published last Wednesday gave him only 38 percent support.
Mr. Sarkozy is even vulnerable on his home turf - the rich Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine. Mr. Sarkozy's son, Jean, reportedly forced the presidential spokesman David Martignon to withdraw from the mayoral race, leaving the outcome there uncertain.
Voice of America
According to the latest polls, the left should keep without too much difficulty Paris, Lyon, Lille, Nantes and Montpellier and could conquer cities like Strasbourg, Toulouse and Marseille. They could win in Caen, Rouen, Tarbes, Blois, even Périgueux as well.
At 17:00 h, the participation was 56,25% against 53,28% at the 2001 elections at same time.
Poll stations close between 18:00 h and 20:00, depending on local laws.
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