From Herald Wire Services

GUADELOUPE

POINTE-A-PITRE -- Emboldened by leads in first-round regional elections, the Socialist Party urged voters Saturday to end more than a decade of conservative rule with promises of more jobs and social benefits in the French Caribbean.

Polls were predicting a solid win for the Socialists in the second and decisive round of voting today. The Socialist gains were seen as a backlash to a failed Dec. 7 referendum that would have streamlined local governments.