July 20, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Nicolas Sarkozy continues to fare poorly with the French public, according to a poll by LH2 published in Libération. 59 per cent of respondents have a negative opinion of their president, down one point since late May.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Nicolas Sarkozy continues to fare poorly with the French public, according to a poll by LH2 published in Libération. 59 per cent of respondents have a negative opinion of their president, down one point since late May.

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 François Fillon—who had been his adviser and presidential campaign leader—as prime minister. 45 per cent of respondents have a positive opinion of Fillon, also down one point in a month.

On Jun. 12, 53.4 per cent of Irish voters rejected the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, a proposed common body of law for European Union (EU) members. Sarkozy—a staunch supporter of the treaty—is due to visit Ireland this month.

On Jul. 18, Ireland’s Labour Party declined to meet the French president in Dublin. Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said the meeting planned by Sarkozy is "pointless", declaring, "This kind of idea that president Sarkozy can come to Ireland and persuade us to change our mind or try and hear what we have to say and give us all three minutes each, I think there is a little degree of arrogance in that."

Polling Data

Do you have a positive or negative opinion of Nicolas Sarkozy’s performance as president?

	Jun. 28	May 31	May 3
Positive	34%	36%	36%
Negative	59%	60%	53%

Do you have a positive or negative opinion of François Fillon’s performance as prime minister?

	Jun. 28	May 31	May 3
Positive	45%	46%	46%
Negative	48%	48%	41%

Source: LH2 / Libération
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 999 French adults, conducted on Jun. 27 and Jun. 28, 2008. No margin of error was provided.