Nicolas Sarkozy's UMP has taken a hit in French regional elections. In the first round the Socialists came out on top with 29.48 % of the vote, Sarkozy's Union for a Popular Movement got 26.18% and Europe Ecologie 12.7%.
Sarkozy has been accused of giving the anti-immigrant far-right and their sympathizers a leg-up when he launched a national identity debate. Socialist leader, Martine Aubry, said he was "re-opening the door for the Front National". She also said: "... this debate on national identity is aimed at opposing French from here with French from elsewhere or foreigners, well (in doing so) he opened a door".
The debate took place on internet forums and in public meetings. Rather than an exercise in soul-searching and enlightenment many of the exchanges descended into rants against immigration and Muslims.
In the current climate in France an anti-immigrantion stance is seen by some politicians as a way to attract votes. During the campaign the Front National put out a poster with the predictable stereotypes front and center... a woman in full Islamic veil and minarets that resembled missiles.
The poster was banned by a French court but FN leader, Jean-Marie Le Pen displayed it anyway during a TV appearance.
The results bode ill for Sarkozy. Opinion polls indicate the Socialists and their allies could win 21 mainland regions. Socialist leader Martine Aubrey said the results show that the French want to "express their wish for a more just and a stronger France".
