French Locals 2008: Lorraine
Lorraine (PS +3)
Meurthe-et-Moselle: An industrial region, Meurthe-et-Moselle is split between the right and the left quite evenly. In Nancy, the Radical-UMP mayor Andre Rossinot, in office since 1983, kept his post with 50.74% in the runoff, the PS candidate took 40.56% and a DVG-PSd list took 8.71%. In the suburban area of Nancy, the left gained Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy with 51.87% in the runoff and held Villers-les-Nancy with 55.36%, despite right-wing hopes at a pickup. Nadine Morano, now a Secretary of State in the Fillon government, was defeated in Toul, coming third behind the PS incumbent (43.7%) and a DVD list taking just 26.26%. The right, however, gained Luneville from the left with 51.12%, despite a strong DVD list with about 12% of the votes. In the right-wing city of Pont-a-Mousson, the UMP Henry Lemoine kept his spot with over 55% in the runoff. In Longwy, a city located along the Belgian and Luxembourg border, and also traditionally left-wing, the UMP scored an upset over a divided left, and took 43.73% and defeated the PS, which had 42.76%. Total UMP +1
Meuse: In Bar-le-Duc, the left scored an upset victory over the incumbent UMP mayor, taking 51.9% of the votes in a close runoff. In addition, the left held Commercy very easily, with over 74% in the first round. The right, however, did hold Verdun with nearly 53% in the runoff. The left also made important gains in the cantons, but the DVD president held his seat, with the support a large group of Independent councillors. Total PS +1
Moselle: In office since 1971, the elderly DVD mayor of Metz, Jean-Marie Rausch faced three strong opposition candidates. Marie-Jo Zimmermann (UMP), Nathalie Griesbeck (MoDem), and Dominique Gros (PS). Gros led the first round, with 34.04%, Rausch was in second with 24.16%. Zimmermann took 16.68% and Griesbeck took 14.69%. Griesbeck and Zimmermann merged their lists, leading to the UMP switching its support to Rausch. Gros won the runoff with 48.28%, Rausch far behind with 27.41% and Zimmermann with 24.31%. Gros is thus the first left-wing mayor of Metz since 1848! The left also gained Thionville, with 51.5%, and Forbach, with 60.05%. The UMP held Saint-Avold (54.3%) and Sarreguemines (56.41%, first round). Total PS +3
Vosges: Polarized between left and right, the situation remained the same. On the left, the PS held Saint-Die with 50.83% and Gerardmer with 68.74%. On the right, the UMP held Epinal with 55.7% by the first round and 45.6% in Remiremont (in a UMP-DVD-PCF runoff).