<text>  Frances 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 Sarkozys 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 Hollandes party, which came to power nationally in 2012. Scroll down for video . Frances 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 Hollandes 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 UMPs 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 Mr Sarkozy said three years under the most outdated Socialist party in Europe had brought the country to its knees, and the electorate had had enough.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 Hollandes Socialists.. Yesterday represented the Socialists third political battering in a year - they were roundly beaten in municipal and European elections last May. 