July 28, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in France are content with the performance of their top politicians, according to two recent polls. In a survey by Ifop published by Le Journal du Dimanche, 66 per cent of respondents are satisfied with French president Nicolas Sarkozy, and 56 per cent feel the same way about prime minister François Fillon.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in France are content with the performance of their top politicians, according to two recent polls. In a survey by Ifop published by Le Journal du Dimanche, 66 per cent of respondents are satisfied with French president Nicolas Sarkozy, and 56 per cent feel the same way about prime minister François Fillon.

In a study by Ipsos published in Le Point, 66 per cent of respondents hold a favourable opinion of Sarkozy's performance, while 56 per cent feel the same way about Fillon.

In May, Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) candidate and former interior minister Sarkozy 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 Jul. 26, Fillon referred to a series of doping scandals that have tarnished the current edition of the country's main sports competition, the Tour de France. The prime minister commented on the fact that French newspapers are calling for the cycling competition to be cancelled, declaring, "Obviously that gives a disastrous image of the Tour de France and of sport in general. But if at the same time we encourage the organizers, we will clean up French sport and in particular cycling."

Polling Data

a) Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with Nicolas Sarkozy's performance as president?

	Jul. 2007	Jun. 2007	May 2007
Satisfied	66%	65%	65%
Dissatisfied	30%	34%	31%

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

	Jul. 2007	Jun. 2007	May 2007
Satisfied	56%	61%	62%
Dissatisfied	34%	34%	30%

Source: Ifop / Le Journal du Dimanche
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 935 French adults, conducted on Jul. 19 and Jul. 20, 2007. No margin of error was provided.

b) Do you have a favourable or unfavourable opinion of Nicolas Sarkozy's performance as president?

	Jul. 2007	Jun. 2007	May 2007
Favourable	66%	61%	64%
Unfavourable	25%	31%	24%

Do you have a favourable or unfavourable opinion of François Fillon's performance as prime minister?

	Jul. 2007	Jun. 2007	May 2007
Favourable	56%	54%	60%
Unfavourable	30%	33%	24%

Source: Ipsos / Le Point
Methodology: Interviews with 943 French registered voters, conducted on Jul. 20 and Jul. 21, 2007. No margin of error was provided.