Bertrand Delanoe burst into the bright lights in France after a landmark victory, ending some 130 years of conservative rule in the capital, reported the Chicago Tribune.

Final results gave the Socialist alliance 92 of the 163 seats on the Paris council.

The 50-year-old openly gay Socialist, who is a keen supporter of gay issues was a relative unknown in French politics until he came out during a TV interview in 1999. He is one of France's few openly gay politicians.