November 23, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - While most people in France continue to hold a positive view of the job done by Nicolas Sarkozy, the number has markedly declined, according to two recent public opinion polls. 55 per cent of respondents to a survey by Ifop for Le Journal du Dimanche are satisfied with the president’s performance, down four points since October.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - While most people in France continue to hold a positive view of the job done by Nicolas Sarkozy, the number has markedly declined, according to two recent public opinion polls. 55 per cent of respondents to a survey by Ifop for Le Journal du Dimanche are satisfied with the president’s performance, down four points since October.

In a study by CSA for Le Parisien, 51 per cent of respondents have confidence in Sarkozy to face the country’s problems, down five points in a month.

The polls also showed lower numbers for French prime minister François Fillon, who fell to 52 per cent in the Ifop survey, and to 41 per cent in the CSA study.

In May, Sarkozy, a centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) candidate and former interior minister, 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 Nov. 14, transportation workers went on strike to protest a government proposal to reform France’s pension system, causing major mobility problems. The measures would bring transport and energy workers’ pensions in line with other public employees. Among other provisions, the proposed law would require members of this group to work for 40 years instead of 37.5 to earn a full pension.

On Nov. 20, Sarkozy talked publicly about the strike for the first time since it started, saying, "One must know to end a strike when the time for talks has come. (...) My view of public services is that they’re at the service of customers and don’t allow for hostage-taking." The French president defended his reform proposals, declaring, "France needs reform to meet global challenges. (...) We won’t give in."

Yesterday, rail workers voted to return to work. Fillon called on them to restart traffic "completely and without delay" and thanked the unions for showing a "responsible attitude."

Polling Data

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

	Nov. 2007	Oct. 2007	Sept. 2007
Satisfied	55%	59%	61%
Dissatisfied	44%	39%	36%

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

	Nov. 2007	Oct. 2007	Sept. 2007
Satisfied	52%	53%	56%
Dissatisfied	44%	41%	36%

Source: Ifop / Le Journal du Dimanche
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,866 French adults, conducted from Nov. 8 to Nov. 16, 2007. No margin of error was provided.

b) Do you have confidence in French president Nicolas Sarkozy to face the country’s problems?

	Nov. 2007	Oct. 2007	Sept. 2007
Confidence	51%	56%	55%
No confidence	40%	38%	37%

Do you have confidence in French prime minister François Fillon to face the country’s problems?

	Nov. 2007	Oct. 2007	Sept. 2007
Confidence	41%	44%	47%
No confidence	43%	43%	41%

Source: CSA / Le Parisien
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 959 French adults, conducted on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15, 2007. No margin of error was provided.