Sarkozy suffers setback in French regional vote

President Nicolas Sarkozy suffered a stinging setback in French regional elections yesterday as projections showed his right-wing party trailing in the first round vote.

The opposition Socialists now look set to crush Mr Sarkozy's party in the runoff next Sunday, by picking up support from voters who backed smaller left-wing parties that were eliminated in the first round.

The far-right National Front led by firebrand Jean-Marie Le Pen made a better-than-expected showing in the vote to elect 26 regional councils, picking up at least 11 per cent.

The result was widely seen as punishment for Mr Sarkozy's governing party as voters reel from the global economic slowdown that has sent unemployment soaring to its highest level in a decade.

"The French people are saying 'We do not want this unfair and inefficient policy. We do not want a policy that is destroying what France holds dearest - its social welfare model, equality and fraternity," said Socialist party leader Martine Aubry.