Sarkozy party on track for victory

FRENCH conservatives looked set to sweep parliamentary elections yesterday, and hand President Nicolas Sarkozy the strong mandate he had sought for the wide-ranging reforms he says are needed to revive the economy.

Mr Sarkozy’s ruling Union for a Popular Majority (UMP) and its allies would take 360-470 seats in the 557-seat National Assembly, according to estimates released by pollsters after first round polls closed last night.

The opposition Socialists, in disarray since May after the party’s third straight loss in presidential elections, were expected to secure 120-170 seats, compared with 149 in 2002.