Leftists humble Sarkozy's party in French vote

PARIS - President Nicolas Sarkozy suffered a national beating by voters who took their frustrations over the economic crisis to the ballot box and clearly favored his leftist challengers in regional elections.

Near-complete official results showed Socialist and other leftist candidates dominating Sunday's first round vote to choose governments of France's 26 regions. The decisive runoff is March 21.

The far right National Front party had a stronger-than-expected showing after years in decline, buoyed by voters worried anew about immigration and France's growing Muslim population.