Sarkozy faces first test at French local elections

By James Mackenzie

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy faces 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.

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 ratings on 41 percent, down from 67 percent in May last year. By contrast, his understated prime minister, Francois Fillon, had a 66 percent approval.

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.

"You can already hear the commentary from some people: 'Perhaps we've gone too fast?' 'Perhaps we've gone too far'," conservative daily Le Figaro said in an editorial that argued it would be a mistake for the right to see the election as a signal to change direction.

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