President Sarkozy's centre-right UMP party has suffered a heavy defeat in the French regional elections.

法国总统萨科奇所在的右翼人民运动联盟在地区选举中遭惨败。

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Many people may have used the ballot to punish the government

With over 97% of votes counted, the Socialist-led opposition² alliance（联盟，联合） took 52% of the vote with the UMP on 35%.

Prime Minister Francois Fillon acknowledged the defeat, admitting the left's "success", and is expected to offer his resignation.

The results leave the UMP in control of only one of France's 22 regions, the Alsace region in the east.

These elections are the last major electoral test in France before the presidential election in 2012.

"I assume my share of the responsibility", Mr Fillon added.

He is expected to offer his resignation（辞职，放弃） in a meeting with Mr Sarkozy Monday, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says.

However, Mr Sarkozy is unlikely to accept Mr Fillon's resignation as the president's own approval ratings are at an all-time low, our correspondent says.

The results expressed the French people's "rejection³ of the politics of the president and the government," opposition leader Martine Aubry was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency.

Low turnout

The poor election results have prompted Mr Sarkozy to plan a "modest reshuffle" of the government, his chief of staff Claude Gueant told the Catholic daily La Croix.

A poll now suggests that 57% of people would like to see a change of government after these regional polls.

Although these elections are meant to be about regional issues such as public transport, high unemployment and resentment⁴（愤恨，怨恨） over plans to reform several sectors⁵ including the judicial⁶ and pension systems have prompted many French people to use their ballot to punish the government.

In the first round ballot less than half of France bothered to vote - and that cost President Sarkozy's right-wing party dearly.

The UMP won just over a quarter of the vote, while the opposition Socialists⁷, combined with other Leftist parties, took 50%.

Many people are angry that Mr Sarkozy's election promises - to make ordinary people richer and to make France more competitive - have failed to come good, our correspondent says.

With three million people currently out of work, France is now suffering its highest level of unemployment in decades, while a series of unpopular reforms has prompted numerous strikes and protest over recent months.

Mr Sarkozy has suggested the possibility of a pause in the pace of reforms after the elections.