Poor turnout for 'No Sarkozy Day'

FRANCE'S first "No Sarko Day" attracted just 2,000 protestors - 98,000 short of the organisers' target.

The event was launched by a group of bloggers, inspired by the "No Berlusconi Day" in Italy last December which attracted 350,000 protestors.

Protest marches were planned on Saturday in Paris and several other towns and cities for people to show their discontent at Sarkozy's policies and his record as president so far.

The group's Facebook page attracted 388,000 members, but only 1,000 people joined the demonstration in the capital, 400 in Marseille, 300 in Grenoble and 250 in Nantes.

Organisers said Saturday's event would be the first of several - and hoped for a better turnout at the next one, on May 8.

Photo:Aleph