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.

Voter apathy accentuated the “blue tide” of support for the conservatives. Turnout slumped to 61%, well below the 84% who voted in May presidential elections, won by Mr Sarkozy, and a record low for parliamentary elections.

Mr Sarkozy’s popularity has surged since beating Ségolène Royal for the presidency, his ratings driven by his energetic image, meetings with world leaders and policy announcements.

The Socialists, whose main message has been to warn of a dangerous concentration of powers if there is too big a UMP majority, urged voters to turn out for the run-off next Sunday to restore a balance of power.