Local elections test for embattled Sarkozy

The first round of French local elections today is being seen as a tough test for conservative president Nicolas Sarkozy, whose popularity has plummeted during 10 months in office.

The elections for mayor, deputy mayor and municipal councillor culminate in a final round on March 16.

The economy remains sluggish and Mr Sarkozy has backed off from the sweeping economic reforms that he promised before his election – two points which may give the rival left, led by the Socialists, the advantage.

The left hopes to make the election into a sanction against Mr Sarkozy, and also to turn the tide after a wave of victories by conservatives in the last municipal elections, in 2001, and a defeat in the May presidential election.

Many candidates of Mr Sarkozy’s Union for a Popular Movement, or UMP, have removed the party logo from their posters. Mr Sarkozy has been lying low, with prime minister Francois Fillon making visits instead to shore up support for candidates in the provinces.

Voting takes place in nearly 36,700 cities, towns and villages across France. In Paris, Socialist mayor Bertrand Delanoe, who has tried to cut car traffic and pollution, is expected to keep his job, defeating the candidate from Mr Sarkozy’s party, Francoise de Panafieu.

The local elections have less to do with party affiliation than other elections, and most voters plan to vote based on local issues – such as parks, public transport and day care centres. Yet the race is also a gauge of how the French rate Mr Sarkozy’s performance in office.

A poll by the Ifop agency published on Friday showed 21% of voters wanted to use their ballots to punish Mr Sarkozy, while 10% wanted to support him.

Mr Sarkozy wooed voters last year with a campaign pledging to break with the rigid workplace laws and high taxes of the past, to make France more globally competitive and boost workers’ purchasing power.

But 10 months later, growth is slower than predicted and buying power is still a main concern. Mr Sarkozy, perhaps fearing massive protests, has so far stayed away from major overhauls and instead waged mini-reforms.

Mr Sarkozy’s popularity ratings, which peaked at around 65% in July, are now hovering around 37-40%.

Many analysts say the French are unhappy with his presidential style. His divorce, his ostentatious courtship of model Carla Bruni and his quick remarriage soured voters, as did his use of an expletive in an angry outburst against a man who refused to shake his hand.

The elections are also important for many members of Mr Sarkozy’s government: 22 ministers – two thirds of the government – are running in the elections.