October 12, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in France have serious doubts about their country's public servants, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 76 per cent of respondents completely or somewhat distrust politicians.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in France have serious doubts about their country's public servants, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 76 per cent of respondents completely or somewhat distrust politicians.

In January 2004, former prime minister Alain Juppé was convicted on charges stemming from an alleged scheme to use funds from private companies and the Paris city hall, to pay for the salaries of people working for the Rally for the Republic (RPR) party during the tenure of current president Jacques Chirac as mayor of Paris.

Last February, Hervé Gaymard resigned from cabinet after acknowledging a "serious error of judgement concerning the terms of my official residence." Several information sources reported on the high cost of the public servant's government-paid apartment. The politician was replaced by Thierry Breton in the finance portfolio.

In May, 54.8 per cent of all French voters rejected the European Constitution in a nationwide plebiscite. The outcome is regarded as a negative response to the current centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) government. Two days after the ballot, Chirac appointed Dominique de Villepin as the country's new prime minister, substituting Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

Chirac won the presidential ballot in 1995, and was re-elected in a run-off over Jean-Marie Le Pen in May 2002. The next election is tentatively scheduled for April 2007.

Polling Data

Do you trust politicians?

Completely trust	1%
Somewhat trust	22%
Somewhat distrust	39%
Completely distrust	37%

Source: CSA / Le Parisien
Methodology: Interviews to 988 French adults, conducted on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7, 2005. No margin of error was provided.