French left defeats Sarkozy in regional elections

FRANCE’S opposition Socialists and their allies handily defeated President Nicolas Sarkozy’s conservatives in regional elections yesterday according to partial official results after a vote that helps set the stage for the 2012 presidential race.

With 80.2% of ballots counted, the Socialist Party and its allies won 53.7% of the overall national vote, according to the Interior Ministry.

Sarkozy’s UMP and its allies won 35.2%, and the far right National Front won 10%, the ministry said.