June 03, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in France would support the ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) in the upcoming legislative election, according to a poll by TNS-Sofres released by Unilog. 42 per cent of respondents would vote for the centre-right party in this month's ballot, up two points since mid-May.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in France would support the ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) in the upcoming legislative election, according to a poll by TNS-Sofres released by Unilog. 42 per cent of respondents would vote for the centre-right party in this month's ballot, up two points since mid-May.

In addition, 27 per cent of respondents would support the centre-left Socialist Party (PS), the Left Radical Party (PRG), or the Citizen's Republican Movement (MRC). The Democratic Movement (MD) is third with 10 per cent.

Support is lower for the far-right National Front (FN), the French Communist Party (PCF), Workers' Struggle (LO) and the Revolutionary Communist League (LCR), the Greens (Verts), the Movement for France (MPF), Hunting, Fishing, Nature, Traditions (CPNT), and the National Republican Movement (MNR).

In the 2002 election to the National Assembly, the UMP received 33.3 per cent of the vote and secured 357 seats in the 577-member lower house. The PS was second, with 24.1 per cent and 141 mandates. The next election is scheduled for Jun. 10 and Jun. 17.

On May 6, UMP candidate and former interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy won the presidential run-off with 53.06 per cent of the vote. Sarkozy was sworn in on May 16.

On May 24, 78-year-old FN leader Jean Marie Le Pen said he will retain his position despite calls for his resignation after he finished fourth in the first round of the presidential election with 10.44 per cent of the vote. Le Pen told reporters: "There will be a congress in November and I will then present my candidacy. (...) The head of the National Front remains uncontested for the time being."

Polling Data

Which party's candidate would you vote for in the legislative election?

	May 29	May 19
Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) / New Centre (NC)	42%	40%
Socialist Party (PS), Left Radical Party (PRG) or Citizens' Republican Movement (MRC)	27%	28%
Democratic Movement (MD)	10%	15%
National Front (FN)	4%	3.5%
French Communist Party (PCF)	4%	3.5%
Workers' Struggle (LO) or Revolutionary Communist League (LCR)	4%	3.5%
The Greens (Les Verts)	3%	4%
Movement for France (MPF)	1.5%	1.5%
Hunting, Fishing, Nature, Traditions (CPNT)	0.5%	1%
National Republican Movement (MNR)	0.5%	--

Source: TNS-Sofres / Unilog
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,000 French adults, conducted on May 28 and May 29, 2007. No margin of error was provided.