(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Fewer people in France now have confidence in Nicolas Sarkozy’s leadership, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 41 per cent of respondents express trust in the president’s ability to face national issues, while 52 per cent have no confidence in him.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Fewer people in France now have confidence in Nicolas Sarkozy’s leadership, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 41 per cent of respondents express trust in the president’s ability to face national issues, while 52 per cent have no confidence in him.
The confidence rate for Sarkozy is down six points since September. The confidence rate for French prime minister François Fillon is identical to Sarkozy’s at 41 per cent, also down six points in one month.
In May 2007, Sarkozy, candidate for the centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) 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 Oct. 8, Sarkozy appointed his 23-year-old son to head Epad, the public agency that oversees La Défense area in west Paris, which is also Europe’s biggest business district. The appointment of Jean Sarkozy, currently a student in law, prompted accusations of nepotism against the president.
Last year, the second-oldest son of the French president won a seat in a local election in Neuilly, where his father served as mayor, and was also appointed leader of the UMP in the area.
On Oct. 12, Ségolène Royal, the Socialist Party (PS) candidate who lost in the 2007 presidential run-off to Sarkozy, said she was "shocked" by the nomination, adding, "If he did not have the name he has, would he be where he is today?" Royal also warned of future political implications of this decision, declaring, "These are very big financial stakes. That could always help, ahead of a future presidential election, if you see what I’m saying, to hold the keys and toss around millions of euros."
Polling Data
Do you have confidence in French president Nicolas Sarkozy to face the country’s problems?
|
|
Oct. 2009 |
Sept. 2009 |
Aug. 2009 |
|
Confidence |
41% |
47% |
45% |
|
No confidence |
52% |
48% |
45% |
Do you have confidence in French prime minister François Fillon to face the country’s problems?
|
|
Oct. 2009 |
Sept. 2009 |
Aug. 2009 |
|
Confidence |
41% |
47% |
43% |
|
No confidence |
51% |
46% |
44% |
Source: CSA / Le Parisien
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,003 French adults, conducted on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8, 2009. No margin of error was provided.
