Former French President Sarkozy gains ground at poll
(AGI) Paris, March 23 - Nicolas Sarkozy's centre-right partyhas won first place in the first round of French localelections. The former president's UMP party curbed the increasein support for the right-wing Front National, and is poised towin next Sunday's run-off vote. Almost three years since hisdeparture from the Elysee, when he was forced out by FrancoisHollande, Mr Sarkozy seems headed for a new victory. His riseis despite an indictment in July for alleged corruption, undueinfluence and breach of the confidentiality of judicialinvestigations, which were suspended after two months. Therewas also