(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – A large majority of people in France are critical of the performance of president Nicolas Sarkozy, according to a poll by Ifop published in Le Journal du Dimanche. 61 per cent of respondents are dissatisfied with the president’s work, up one point since September.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – A large majority of people in France are critical of the performance of president Nicolas Sarkozy, according to a poll by Ifop published in Le Journal du Dimanche. 61 per cent of respondents are dissatisfied with the president’s work, up one point since September.
On the other hand, 51 per cent of respondents are content with the way French prime minister François Fillon is handling his duties.
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 publicly supported his 23-year-old son’s bid to become the head of Epad, the public agency that oversees La Défense area in west Paris, which is also Europe’s biggest business district. The candidacy of Jean Sarkozy, currently a student in law, prompted accusations of nepotism against the president.
Last year, Jean Sarkozy, 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. 23, Jean Sarkozy dropped his bid for the top job at Epad, saying, "I would not want any victory to be overshadowed by suspicion. I won’t accept being suspected of favouritism."
Polling Data
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with Nicolas Sarkozy’s performance as president?
|
|
Oct. 2009 |
Sept. 2009 |
Aug. 2009 |
|
Satisfied |
38% |
39% |
45% |
|
Dissatisfied |
61% |
60% |
54% |
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with François Fillon’s performance as prime minister?
|
|
Oct. 2009 |
Sept. 2009 |
Aug. 2009 |
|
Satisfied |
51% |
50% |
52% |
|
Dissatisfied |
46% |
47% |
46% |
Source: Ifop / Le Journal du Dimanche
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 931 French adults, conducted in November 2009. No margin of error was provided.
