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Better Numbers for Chirac, PM in France
- Public support for France's main politicians is rising, according to two recent public opinion polls. In a survey by TNS-Sofres for Le Figaro, 25 per cent of respondents express confidence in French president Jacques Chirac, and 26 per cent of respondents feel the same way about French prime minister Dominique de Villepin.
The TNS-Sofres study shows a four-point increase for both Chirac and de Villepin. In a poll by Ifop published in Paris Match, 39 per cent of respondents approve of the president's performance, up two points since July. Public support for de Villepin increased by 10 points, to reach 38 per cent.
Chirac won the presidential election in 1995, and was re-elected in a run-off over Jean-Marie Le Pen in May 2002. Following a defeat in the May 2005 referendum on the European Constitution, Chirac named de Villepin as the country's new prime minister.
Yesterday, Chirac addressed the Asia-Europe Meeting summit, and urged all nations to "define national targets for improvements in energy efficiency between now and the end of the year."
The European Union (EU) has vowed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 25 per cent of current levels by 2050.
Polling Data
a) Do you have confidence in president Jacques Chirac to face France's problems?
Aug. 2006 | Jul. 2006 | Jun. 2006 | |
Confidence | 25% | 21% | 16% |
No confidence | 73% | 77% | 81% |
Do you have confidence in prime minister Dominique de Villepin to face France's problems?
Aug. 2006 | Jul. 2006 | Jun. 2006 | |
Confidence | 26% | 22% | 17% |
No confidence | 70% | 75% | 79% |
Source: TNS-Sofres / Le Figaro
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,000 French adults, conducted on Aug. 23 and Aug. 24, 2006. No margin of error was provided.
b) Do you approve or disapprove of Jacques Chirac's performance as president?
Sept. 2006 | Jul. 2006 | Jun. 2006 | |
Approve | 39% | 37% | 32% |
Disapprove | 61% | 63% | 68% |
Do you approve or disapprove of Dominique de Villepin's performance as prime minister?
Sept. 2006 | Jul. 2006 | Jun. 2006 | |
Approve | 38% | 28% | 30% |
Disapprove | 62% | 72% | 70% |
Source: Ifop / Paris Match
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,007 French adults, conducted on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, 2006. No margin of error was provided.