71% do not know who runs region

NEARLY three quarters of people do not know the name of their region's president, a new poll published three months before the regional elections has revealed.

The survey, which was commissioned by a group of regional newspapers and the France Bleu radio network, found people knew little about their regional government - taking more interest in local affairs.

Only 29% of the 5,000 people questioned could name the president of their region when asked. Another 6% gave the wrong name and 65% could not answer at all.

Ségolène Royal was the most known - helped no doubt by her high profile in the national media and her failed bid to lead the Socialist party. Some 85% of people in Poitou-Charentes knew that she was the region's president.

The least known was René Souchon. He oversees Auvergne, but 77% of people in the region do not know who he is.

The regional elections take place throughout France on March 14 and 21. Non-French nationals cannot vote.