French Locals 2008: Aquitaine
Aquitaine (PS +2)
Dordogne: A complete political renewal, or almost, took place in Dordogne. Firstly, the most interesting result, the Education Minister, Xavier Darcos, was narrowly defeated by the Socialist Michel Moyrand in his re-election bid in Perigueux. Trailing by the first round (45.25 to 45.7 for Moyrand), despite the MoDem’s support, Darcos lost with 49.58 in the runoff. In Bergerac, the same thing happened- the DVD incumbent was defeated by a Socialist. The right, formerly controlling all 3 major cities, now controls one, Sarlat-la-Caneda. Total PS +2
Gironde: Despite being defeated in June 2007 (in a climate favourable to the right), Juppe was easily re-elected in Bordeaux, with the support of the MoDem, against the regional president Alain Rousset. He was re-elected by the first round, trouncing Rousset 56.62-34.14. The FN lost its only seat on the city council, not passing the 5% threshold (it took 2.6% and fourth). In the suburbs of Libourne (where the son of Mitterrand was re-elected), Merignac, and Pessac; all 3 PS-DVG incumbents were easily re-elected. The left, however, did not hold onto La-Teste, where the UMP gained the city. Total UMP +1
Landes: Despite a status-quo prediction by most, the results in the left-wing stronghold of the Landes was not status-quo, far from it. Dax, projected to remain in UMP hands, was lost to the PS. However, the PS lost Mont-de-Marsan to a MoDem list supported by the UMP. In the general council, Henri Emanuelli (PS) was re-elected, the left (PS-PCF) controls 26 of the department’s 30 seats!
Lot-et-Garonne: After conquering Agen and Villeneuve-sur-Lot in 2001, the Socialists were defeated in Agen by the NC deputy Jean-Dionis du Sejour, who took 52.25% in the runoff. In Villeneuve-sur-Lot however, the Socialists were given another term, with almost 60% in the runoff. The left also held Marmande by the first round. In the general council, the left was able to gain the control of the department with Pierre Camani becoming President. Total NC +1
Pyrenees-Atlantiques: The results in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques were a mixed bag for 3 parties. In Pau, the city where the MoDem leader and 2007 presidential candidate (winning 18.6%) Francois Bayrou had hoped to win, was defeated by a relatively unknown local Socialist leader. She also defeated the Gauche Moderne (ex-PS, supported by the UMP) incumbent, Yves Urieta, in office since the death of the Socialist ‘king’ of Pau, André Labarrère, in 2006. She took 39.76 to 38.81 to Bayrou, Urieta took only 21.42. However, if Urieta had stayed out of the runoff, Bayrou could have been elected. In Orthez, the PS defeated the incumbent with over 60% in the runoff. Same result, but closer in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, where the PS was able to gain with 50.92 in the runoff. On the right-wing cities along the coast, a status-quo more or less prevailed. In Bayonne, the DVD incumbent won in a three-way runoff against a PS candidate and another DVD. In Biarritz, the MoDem incumbent prevailed in a four-way runoff (MoDem, DVD, PS, DVG). In the city of the Interior Minister, Michele Alliot-Marie, she was of course easily re-elected with 55.6 in the first round. The Basque nationalists, though, took nearly 20% of the vote. Finally, in the only major left-wing city on the coast, Hendaye, the right was able to pull off an upset in a three-way with the Basque nationalists (who took nearly 10% in the runoff). The Basque nationalists, however, lost their only seat in the general council to the UMP. In the general council, led by the MoDem, the PS obtained a near-majority of seats, but when it came down to elect the President, a non-breakable tie happened and the UMP Jean Castaings was elected, being the oldest candidate. Total PS +2
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