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Sarkozy Down, Fillon Up in France
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Public support for Nicolas Sarkozy decreased slightly in France this month, according to a poll by LH2 published in Libération. 54 per cent of respondents have a positive view of their president, down two points since December.
In May 2007, 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 François Fillon—who had been his adviser and presidential campaign leader—as prime minister. 50 per cent of respondents have a positive opinion of Fillon, up four points in a month.
On Jan. 8, Fillon said the French government will try to abolish the 35-hour workweek by the end of this year, saying this policy "was one of the worst economic and social mistakes made in France (over) the past 25 years."
A law put in place by the Socialist-led government in 1998 lowered the official work week in France from 39 hours to 35 hours. In August 2007, Sarkozy also criticized the 35-hour workweek, calling it an "economic mistake."
Polling Data
Do you have a positive or negative opinion of Nicolas Sarkozy’s performance as president?
|
Jan. 2008 |
Dec. 2007 |
Nov. 2007 |
|
|
Positive |
54% |
56% |
54% |
|
Negative |
44% |
39% |
40% |
Do you have a positive or negative opinion of François Fillon’s performance as prime minister?
|
Jan. 2008 |
Dec. 2007 |
Nov. 2007 |
|
|
Positive |
50% |
46% |
47% |
|
Negative |
44% |
47% |
43% |
Source: LH2 / Libération
Methodology: Interviews with 1,003 French adults, conducted on Jan. 4 and Jan. 5, 2008. No margin of error was provided.