Sarkozy soldiers on despite opposition win

PARIS, March 17 (UPI) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy vowed to soldier on with political initiatives following a resounding defeat in local elections, the Financial Times said.

The Financial Times said Monday opposition socialists secured a large protest vote against Sarkozy, taking control of 10 departments in county elections Sunday.

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon vowed to speed up economic reform measures aimed at boosting competition and small business in a plan scheduled for introduction in the parliament in May.

Voter turnout in the local elections were the lowest since 1959 indicated Sarkozy's backers were unable to get people out to vote.

The Financial Times said Sarkozy's popularity decline, attributed in part to his high-profile social affairs, makes him a political liability and credit the backing of the opposition as a sign of a lack of faith in the current leadership.