France votes for civic politicians

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-17-2008 08:58

French President Nicolas Sarkozy's conservative party is braced for a possible setback as voting gets underway in local elections.

The municipal elections have less to do with party affiliation than other elections. (CCTV.com)

Sarkozy's conservative Union for a Popular Movement hopes to hang on to two of France's largest cities in Sunday's second and final round of voting for mayors, deputy mayors and municipal councilors.

The first round on March 9th gave the rival Socialist Party a modest lead.

Socialists took Paris in 2001 and are expected to hold on to it. Leftists also dominate in Lyon.

The municipal elections have less to do with party affiliation than other elections. However, the race is also a gauge of how voters rate Sarkozy's performance.

A UMP loss on Sunday could weaken his ability to come through on promises of economic, social and institutional reforms.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei