Sarkozy faces first test at French local elections

By James Mackenzie

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy faced his first electoral test since coming to power last May when voters cast ballots on Sunday in local elections expected to deal a blow to his centre-right UMP party.

The Interior Ministry said turnout at 1100 GMT was 23 percent, or two percent more than at the same time during the last local elections held in 2001 when final voter participation was 70.1 percent.

In an overcast and wet Paris, turnout at midday was 13.05 percent, down from 16.5 percent in 2001.

Sarkozy has suffered a dramatic fall in popularity since his election last year on a platform of economic renewal and a break with the policies of decades of past governments.

A personal style seen by many as brusque and flashy, widespread media coverage of his private life and marriage to former supermodel Carla Bruni and, above all, worries about the cost of living and the faltering economy have eroded support.

A poll by the Ifop institute on Tuesday put Sarkozy's personal approval rating at 41 percent, down from 67 percent in May last year. By contrast, his understated prime minister, Francois Fillon, had 66 percent support.

Sarkozy has said his determination to pursue economic reform will not be shaken by the election and the government points to the popularity of Fillon as a sign that it has solid support.

But questions have been raised over whether severe losses could push Sarkozy off course.