Sarkozy mulls cabinet reshuffle after crushing defeat

Partial results and exit polls in the second-round run-off vote indicated that the opposition Socialist party and its allies won some 54 percent of the vote. This result came compared to UMP's 36 percent, giving the left control of 21 of the 22 regions up for grabs, Deutsche Welle reports. Sarkozy mulls cabinet reshuffle after crushing defeat "This is a disappointment for the governing party. I take my share of responsibility, and will take this up with the president," UMP Prime Minister Francois Fillon said. Fillon is to meet the President on Monday morning. Although Sarkozy has said that the regional election results are not an indictment of his national government, he is expected to announce a cabinet reshuffle at the very least. Some reports even suggest that Fillon may resign. The far-right Front National came away with 9.3 percent nationwide, after qualifying for the second round in nine regions. But veteran party leader Jean-Marie Le Pen scored big in his home region in southern France, winning more than 22 percent of the vote. Voter turnout, at 51 percent, was four points higher than last Sunday's first round of polling. Pollsters say the country's anemic economy and growing unemployment as well as Sarkozy's relentless reform course have disillusioned voters. Also, a string of recent controversies, ranging from a debate on national identity to accusations of nepotism, have been eroding his popularity. Although Sunday's election outcome was a triumph for the Socialists, Sarkozy's UMP looks set to hold on to its traditional stronghold, the Alsace region along the German border. The island of Corsica, another conservative bastion, was snatched from the UMP by the Socialist alliance. The UMP held on to French Guyana and Reunion. Guadeloupe went to the Socialists. The result is very similar to the last regional poll in 2004 when the Socialists came away with 20 of the 22 mainland districts, but were defeated in the presidential election three years later. Even so, the poll is seen as rejection of Sarkozy and his policies and perhaps the worst defeat of his political career. The president has already announced a pause in reforms for next year and this loss could make him even more cautious about pushing painful changes.

Sarkozy mulls cabinet reshuffle after crushing defeat

"This is a disappointment for the governing party. I take my share of responsibility, and will take this up with the president," UMP Prime Minister Francois Fillon said.

Fillon is to meet the President on Monday morning. Although Sarkozy has said that the regional election results are not an indictment of his national government, he is expected to announce a cabinet reshuffle at the very least. Some reports even suggest that Fillon may resign.

The far-right Front National came away with 9.3 percent nationwide, after qualifying for the second round in nine regions. But veteran party leader Jean-Marie Le Pen scored big in his home region in southern France, winning more than 22 percent of the vote.

Voter turnout, at 51 percent, was four points higher than last Sunday's first round of polling.

Pollsters say the country's anemic economy and growing unemployment as well as Sarkozy's relentless reform course have disillusioned voters. Also, a string of recent controversies, ranging from a debate on national identity to accusations of nepotism, have been eroding his popularity.

Although Sunday's election outcome was a triumph for the Socialists, Sarkozy's UMP looks set to hold on to its traditional stronghold, the Alsace region along the German border.

The island of Corsica, another conservative bastion, was snatched from the UMP by the Socialist alliance. The UMP held on to French Guyana and Reunion. Guadeloupe went to the Socialists.

The result is very similar to the last regional poll in 2004 when the Socialists came away with 20 of the 22 mainland districts, but were defeated in the presidential election three years later.

Even so, the poll is seen as rejection of Sarkozy and his policies and perhaps the worst defeat of his political career.

The president has already announced a pause in reforms for next year and this loss could make him even more cautious about pushing painful changes.