Sarkozy's Party Gloomy Over Local Elections

The New York Times ^ | March 12, 2010 | KATRIN BENNHOLD and SCOTT SAYARE

[Cincinna]

The governing party of President Nicolas Sarkozy is bracing for a crushing defeat in regional elections this Sunday and next, as voters appear determined to use the last nationwide ballot before the 2012 presidential elections to send a sharp warning to the Élysée Palace.

Almost all opinion polls indicate that the opposition Socialist Party and its allies are headed for a clean sweep of the 22 regional councils in mainland France in the two-round contest.

At first glance, the gloomy outlook for Mr. Sarkozy is somewhat of a conundrum. France has resisted the economic crisis better than its neighbors, and the Socialists have so far failed to present a credible candidate to challenge him in 2012.

But with unemployment at a 10-year-high and recent accusations of cronyism still fresh in voters’ minds, Mr. Sarkozy’s approval rating has slumped to a record low. Nearly two in three French people say they no longer trust the man they overwhelmingly voted into office three years ago to address their everyday concerns.

“This election is an opportunity for the French to send a message to the government, and it looks like they will use that opportunity,” said Frédéric Dabi, director of opinion research at the IFOP polling institute. “It will be hard for the president to ignore.”

The latest polls published Friday gave the Socialists and other parties on the left likely to cooperate in the second round more than 50 percent of the vote. Mr. Sarkozy’s party, Union for a Popular Movement, was projected to win about 30 percent, probably not enough to hold on to the two remaining regions on the right, Corsica and Alsace.

There is no certainty that a sweeping victory would help the Socialists’ fortunes on the national level.

[pnh102]

There are interesting parallels between Sarkozy and Bush. Both ran as purported right of center candidates but governed to the left and both ended up being repudiated with the election of even more leftists. Does anyone think it could be possible that had Sarkozy governed more from the right, he’d be in better shape today?

[Cincinna]

*** FRENCH POLITICS AND CULTURE PING LIST *** FREEPMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO JOIN ***

These results will not change the makeup of the Government. They are REGIONAL, not LEGISLATIVE.

I will report on the actual results tomorrow as they come in. * FREEPMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO JOIN *

[Cicero]

Well, so they are willing to put a bunch of socialists into local offices in order to “send a message.” Kind of dumb, but typical. Sarkozy has not been as conservative as many of us would have liked, but the French economy could be a whole lot worse. Unfortunately, French workers tend not to see it that way. Although at least there haven’t been riots or major strikes, as there sometimes were in the past.

[padre35]

Well, Sarko has done a good job blunting the downturn’s effects in France, but there will be voter fatigue, Sarko’s Party is Chirac’s and sometimes people just get tired.

[SmokingJoe]

Where is the New York Times article with the heading:
“0bama’s Party Gloomy Over National Elections”

[bruinbirdman]

"I will report on the actual results tomorrow as they come in."

Be sure to check the French Press, Cincinna.

This NYSlime article is just that.

yitbos

[aimee5291]

I’ll be interested in the results...please keep us updated..

[aimee5291]

I’ll be interested in the results...please keep us updated..

[SunkenCiv]

“How can anyone govern a nation that has two hundred and forty-six different kinds of cheese?” — Charles de Gaulle

Thanks Cincinna.