France 's ruling Socialists suffered a crushing defeat in regional elections last night - as three years of left-wing rule was branded a 'massive failure ' . Exit polls showed Nicolas Sarkozy 's opposition UMP party controlling up to 70 departments , compared to 37 for the Socialists . This meant a loss of 30 of the regional councils for Francois Hollande 's party , which came to power nationally in 2012 . Scroll down for video . France 's ruling Socialists under Francois Hollande ( pictured ) suffered a crushing defeat in regional elections last night - as three years of left-wing rule was branded a 'massive failure ' Even the Correze department - Mr Hollande 's home turf in the south west - was won by the UMP . Former president Mr Sarkozy said : 'Tonight , the Republican right , and the centre , has won the departmental elections . ' Referring to the UMP 's electoral alliance with the centrist Union of Democrats and Independents ( UDI ) , Mr Sarkozy said : 'Never in the history of the Fifth Republic has our political family won so many departments . ' Mr Sarkozy said 'three years ' under the most outdated Socialist party in Europe had brought the country to its knees , and the electorate had had enough . Exit polls showed the opposition UMP party under Nicolas Sarkozy ( pictured ) controlling up to 70 departments , compared to 37 for the Socialists . ' A new era is starting . Hope is reborn for France , ' said Mr Sarkozy . 'The road will be long and hard , but change is coming and nothing can stop it . ' Also highlighting the 'failure ' of the Socialists , was the far-right National Front ( FN ) leader Marine Le Pen . Although the FN was expected to win up to one department maximum , they were on course to win more than 200 seats on regional councils . Calling on Manuel Valls , the Socialist Prime Minister , 'to resign ' , Ms Le Pen said her anti-immigration and anti-Europe party had a huge part to play in the future of France . Manuel Valls , the Socialist Prime Minister , conceded 'incontestable ' electoral defeat soon after the polls closed at 8pm . Far-right National Front ( FN ) leader Marine Le Pen ( pictured ) also highlighted the 'failure ' of the Socialists . Noting increased extremism in his country , Mr Valls said : 'Far-right gains in local elections are a sign of lasting change in the French political system ' . The election will choose 4,108 local councillors and - crucially - shape the political landscape in the run-up to the 2017 presidential race . The vote was also a key test for Mr Sarkozy who , despite a series of corruption scandals , is convinced he can return to power in two years ' time . According to the exit polls , the UMP and its centrist allies could end up with nearly twice as many seats as President Hollande 's Socialists.. Yesterday represented the Socialists ' third political battering in a year - they were roundly beaten in municipal and European elections last May .
Exit polls have shown Nicolas Sarkozy 's party controlling 70 departments . The Socialists are expected to win the most votes in a second round of voting on May 6, but they will need more than 50 percent for an outright majority.