May 08, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Fewer people in France are expressing confidence in the ability of Nicolas Sarkozy to lead the country, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 38 per cent of respondents trust Sarkozy to face the country’s problems, down two points since early April.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Fewer people in France are expressing confidence in the ability of Nicolas Sarkozy to lead the country, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 38 per cent of respondents trust Sarkozy to face the country’s problems, down two points since early April.

In addition, 42 per cent of respondents express confidence in French prime minister François Fillon, down eight points in less than a month.

In May 2007, Sarkozy, candidate for the centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) 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 May 6, Sarkozy marked his first anniversary in office. François Hollande, the leader of the opposition Socialist Party (PS), said the French are disappointed because Sarkozy has failed to increase purchasing power. Hollande stated that Sarkozy "was elected on this promise, he did not keep it and the French are suffering the consequences every day."

Polling Data

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

	Apr. 30	Apr. 3	Mar. 2008
Confidence	38%	40%	38%
No confidence	57%	54%	59%

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

	Apr. 30	Apr. 3	Mar. 2008
Confidence	42%	50%	55%
No confidence	51%	44%	32%

Source: CSA / Le Parisien
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,003 French adults, conducted on Apr. 29 and Apr. 30, 2008. No margin of error was provided.