The results of the first ballot of the French regional elections put the Socialists in the lead with 29 percent of the vote, with the governing conservative UMP trailing behind at 26 percent. European commentators say the French want an end to President Nicolas Sarkozy's actionism and cast a worried look at the low election turnout and the success of the extreme right.
With articles from the following publications: Der Standard - Austria, Ouest-France - France, Il Sole 24 Ore - Italy, ABC - Spain
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