Issue Watch

About Angus Reid Global Monitor

The definitive online source for examining worldwide public opinion and democratic processes.

The Global Monitor is a vital source of timely political intelligence for journalists, students, policy makers, and citizens. By merging academic expertise with the highest journalistic standards, we seek to advance research, improve information exchange, and enhance understanding of the changing dynamic of public opinion and democracy.
Read More

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

All fields are required.

Sarkozy Leads by Seven Points in France

February 19, 2007

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Public backing for Nicolas Sarkozy increased in France, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 33 per cent of respondents would vote for the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) candidate in this year's presidential election.

Ségolène Royal of the Socialist Party (PS) is second with 26 per cent, followed by Jean-Marie Le Pen of the National Front (FN) with 14 per cent, and Union for French Democracy (UDF) leader François Bayrou with 12 per cent.

Support is lower for Revolutionary Communist League (LCR) member Olivier Besancenot, farmer-activist José Bové, Movement for France (MPF) leader Philippe de Villiers, Marie-George Buffet of the French Communist Party (PCF), Dominique Voynet of the Greens (Verts), Arlette Laguiller of Workers' Struggle (LO), Frédéric Nihous of Hunting, Fishing, Nature, Traditions (CPNT), Corinne Lepage of Citizenship, Action, Participation for the 21st Century, and National Assembly member Nicolas Dupont-Aignan.

Sarkozy currently serves as France's interior minister. Royal is the leader of the regional government of Poitou-Charentes. In a prospective run-off scenario, Sarkozy holds an eight-point advantage over Royal.

On Feb. 16, Sarkozy expressed satisfaction with his campaign so far, declaring, "I'm starting to feel this election is going not too bad at all."

The UMP's Jacques Chirac won the presidential ballot in 1995, and was re-elected in a run-off over Le Pen in May 2002. The next election is scheduled for Apr. 22. If no candidate garners more than 50 per cent of all cast ballots, a run-off would take place on May 6.

Polling Data

Among the following candidates, for whom would there be the most chances than you vote with the first turn of the presidential election?

Feb. 12

Jan. 31

Jan. 17

Nicolas Sarkozy

33%

31%

30%

Ségolène Royal

26%

27%

29%

Jean-Marie Le Pen

14%

16%

15%

François Bayrou

12%

12%

9%

Olivier Besancenot

4%

2%

4%

José Bové

3%

1%

--

Philippe de Villiers

2%

1%

3%

Marie-George Buffet

2%

3%

3%

Dominique Voynet

1%

2%

2%

Arlette Laguiller

1%

2%

3%

Frédéric Nihous

1%

1%

0.5%

Corinne Lepage

0.5%

1%

--

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan

0.5%

0.5%

1%

Gérard Schivardi

--

0.5%

0.5%

Run-Off Scenario

Feb. 12

Jan. 31

Jan. 17

Nicolas Sarkozy

54%

53%

52%

Ségolène Royal

46%

47%

48%

Source: CSA / Le Parisien
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 919 French adults, conducted on Feb. 12, 2007. No margin of error was provided.