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Socialists Take Paris in Municipal Vote
The Socialists conquered the French capital in municipal elections, wrenching Paris from President Jacques Chirac's conservatives and a century of nearly unbroken rule by the right.
Winner Bertrand Delanoe, an unassuming, openly gay politician, was relatively unknown before the campaign but struck a chord with Paris' 2 million residents by focusing on improving the quality of life. He promised to reduce pollution and address concerns about the poor suburbs.
But Sunday's historic victory in the city of light, and a second prestigious win in the rightist bastion of Lyon, were dimmed by the left's loss of more than two dozen sizable towns around France.
Losses by several high-profile ministers in Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin's government proved a particular humiliation.
The runoff local elections provided a measure of the political landscape a year ahead of presidential balloting in which Chirac and Jospin may run against each other.
The Paris and Lyon victories saved the left's face.
Delanoe, 50, defeated Philippe Seguin, a candidate for Chirac's Rally for the Republic party.
"Paris is liberated," chanted a crowd that gathered in front of City Hall.
This Sunday, Delanoe will officially become mayor of Paris ¡ª a post held by Chirac for 18 years ¡ª when the city council, which serves as a sort of electoral college, votes him in.
He will replace incumbent Mayor Jean Tiberi, whose own candidacy divided the right.
In his public demeanor, Delanoe is a man like his patron, Jospin, France's dry, professorial prime minister. The two men are good friends.
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