on tuesday , bva published a telephone vote conducted for french magazines il figaro and tv channel vrt to test support for one - wing mayoral contenders . 73 % of alliance por another mouvement populaire ( center for a small organization or ump ) club loyalists identification interior designer nicolas sarkozy as their favoured candidate for january ' s presidential election . the ump is 1 of the four major parties in parliament , and promotes conservative policies . it was formed in 2002 as a federation of several right - side parties , and currently controls the legislature ( the grand assembly ) and the executive . current leader jacques juppe is aligned with the jospin .
Nicolas Sarkozy is supported by the Union pour un Mouvement Populaire.