French regional elections, 2004

Regional elections were held in France on March 21 and March 28, 2004. At stake were the presidencies of each of France's 22 régions, which, though they don't have legislative autonomy, manage sizeable budgets. The results were a triumph for the parties of the left, led by the French Socialist Party (PS) in alliance with minor parties including the French Communist Party (PCF), the Left Radical Party (PRG) and the Greens (Les Verts). The left has usually fared moderately well in regional elections, but this was their best result since the regional system was introduced.

Results by region

The first round was held on March 21. Since no candidate gained a majority in any region, a second round was held on March 28, in which only candidates who polled more than 10% in the first round were eligible to run (except in Corsica, where the threshold is 5%). Votes for minor parties have been consolidated. Incumbents are shown with an asterisk.

Related Topics:
March 21 - March 28

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Alsace

See Alsace Regional Council

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Conservative Alsace is one of only two regions retained by the right.

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Aquitaine

Aquitaine is a traditional stronghold of the left.

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Auvergne

The former President of France, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, was seeking a fourth term as President of Auvergne.

Related Topics:
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing - Auvergne

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Basse-Normandie

The left have never before won control of Lower Normandy.

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Bourgogne

Burgundy returns to its usual left-wing loyalty. It is suspected that incumbent Jean-Pierre Soisson was punished for his coalition with the Front National.

Related Topics:
Burgundy - Jean-Pierre Soisson - Front National

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Bretagne

Normally conservative Brittany is captured by the left.

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Centre

The left retains control of this region. Sapin replaces the retiring incumbent Alain Rafesthain.

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Champagne-Ardenne

The left captures usually conservative Champagne-Ardenne.

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Corse

Conservative Corsica is the right's only success apart from Alsace.

Related Topics:
Corsica - Alsace

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Franche-Comté

The left retakes Franche-Comté.

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Haute-Normandie

The left retains its traditional hold on Upper Normandy.

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Île-de-France

The left retains control of Île-de-France, the region surrounding Paris and gets a comfortable majority. Huchon previously could not rely on a majority.

Related Topics:
Île-de-France - Paris

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Languedoc-Roussillon

The left re-establishes its usual dominance of Languedoc-Roussillon.

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Limousin

The left retains control of Limousin, with Denanot succeeding the retiring incumbent Robert Savy.

Related Topics:
Limousin - Robert Savy

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Lorraine

The left recaptures Lorraine.

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Midi-Pyrénées

The left retain its traditional dominance of Midi-Pyrénées.

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Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Nord-Pas-de-Calais is also a stronghold of the left.

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Pays de la Loire

The right loses the normally conservative Pays de la Loire region. Fillon was the candidate of the right in succession to the retiring Jean-Luc Harousseau.

Related Topics:
Pays de la Loire - Jean-Luc Harousseau

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Picardie

The left captures the Picardie region following the retirement of incumbent Charles Baur.

Related Topics:
Picardie - Charles Baur

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Poitou-Charentes

Poitou-Charentes, a traditional stronghold of the right and home region of Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, falls to the left.

Related Topics:
Poitou-Charentes - Jean-Pierre Raffarin

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Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

The left retains control of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

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Jean-Marie Le Pen, who intended to run in this region, was disqualified because he did not fulfill the legal conditions: he neither lived there, nor was registered as a taxpayer there.

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Rhône-Alpes

The left captures the usually conservative Rhône-Alpes region.

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