(12/18/07) -

Sarkozy Still Above 50% Mark in France

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Nicolas Sarkozy maintains a steady level of public backing in France, according to two recent public opinion polls. In a survey by CSA published in Le Parisien, 55 per cent of respondents have confidence in the president’s ability to face the country’s problems, up four points since November.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Nicolas Sarkozy maintains a steady level of public backing in France, according to two recent public opinion polls. In a survey by CSA published in Le Parisien, 55 per cent of respondents have confidence in the president’s ability to face the country’s problems, up four points since November.

In a study by Ifop published in Le Journal du Dimanche, 52 per cent of respondents are satisfied with Sarkozy’s performance as president, down three points in a month.

French prime minister François Fillon holds lower numbers, with 45 per cent of respondents to the CSA poll expressing confidence in his ability, and 49 per cent of respondents to the Ifop survey voicing a favourable opinion of his performance.

In May, Sarkozy, a centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) candidate and former interior minister, won the presidential run-off with 53.06 per cent of the vote. Sarkozy appointed Fillon—who had been his adviser and presidential campaign leader—as prime minister.

On Dec. 10, Fillon admitted that the French economy will not reach the growth of two percentage points that had been previously forecast, saying growth will reach 1.9 per cent at the most. The prime minister also added that economic "uncertainties" seem "stronger" for 2008.

Yesterday, Sarkozy discussed his views on the Middle East peace process, saying, "What we must do now is work together before the end of 2008 for the creation of an independent, democratic, viable Palestinian state."

Polling Data

a) Do you have confidence in French president Nicolas Sarkozy to face the country’s problems?

Do you have confidence in French prime minister François Fillon to face the country’s problems?

Source: CSA / Le Parisien
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 960 French adults, conducted on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, 2007. No margin of error was provided.

b) Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with Nicolas Sarkozy’s performance as president?

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with François Fillon’s performance as prime minister?

Source: Ifop / Le Journal du Dimanche
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,864 French adults, conducted from Dec. 6 to Dec. 14, 2007. No margin of error was provided.