21 March 2008: French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s party lost in local municipal elections on Sunday, March 16, but the president promises to press ahead with his reform program. The Socialists won in the big cities like Paris, Strasbourg, Rheims, Lille, and Lyon as well as the traditional conservative stronghold of Toulouse; however, President Sarkozy’s UMP party held the important battleground city of Marseille.

The elections were for mayors and city councilors in small towns and cities and most voters cast ballots on local issues. Prime Minister Francois Fallon promised to continue the government’s reforms. The vote was seen as a referendum on President Sarkozy who has fallen in opinion polls since his election last year, mainly because of his leadership style and personal life.

Last Sunday’s second round of the municipal elections were seen as a blow to the president. Results show the Socialists won about 49 percent of the vote and the UMP took 47.5 percent including the biggest cities.

Following the vote the Socialists demanded changes from the president. Turnout was 62 percent which was lower than the first round and lower than expected. Voters are worried about the economy and believe the president has been distracted with his public divorce and remarriage to supermodel Carla Bruni. President Sarkozy has made changes to the 35-hour work week and cut pension benefits. While unemployment has dropped to 7.5 percent, consumer confidence remains at historic lows.

Following the poor showing in the local elections President Sarkozy made minor changes in his cabinet giving his prime minister a more conservative team. Mr. Sarkozy did not alter his top cabinet ministers but added six junior ministers and made changes to the portfolios of 12 others. As expected, Sarkozy’s junior minister for overseas territories Christian Estrosi won a mayoral race in southern Nice and was replaced by Yves Jego. The other alteration in the cabinet was a new junior ministry combining trade, small business, tourism, and services. There are also new junior posts for foreign trade, rural development and Paris regional development.

The elections also caused President Sarkozy to change his image. He is shaking up his advisory team and got rid of his spokesman. There will be no more weekly press conferences and Mr. Sarkozy promises to change his leadership style to be more discrete and disciplined. Despite giving senior aides more authority and making limited cabinet changes the president promises to continue with his reforms.

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