Credit:The White House

Jacques Chirac

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Few adults in France are content with Jacques Chirac, according to a poll by Ifop published in Le Journal du Dimanche. 38 per cent of respondents are satisfied with the performance of their president, up one point since September.

Chirac won the presidential election in 1995, and was re-elected in a run-off over Jean-Marie Le Pen in May 2002. The head of state's popularity increased in late 2002 and early 2003 due to his vocal opposition to armed conflict in Iraq without an explicit mandate from the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

In May, 54.8 per cent of all French voters rejected the European Constitution in a nationwide plebiscite. The outcome is regarded as a negative response to the current centre-right government. Two days after the ballot, Chirac appointed Dominique de Villepin as the country's new prime minister, substituting Jean-Pierre Raffarin. 48 per cent of respondents are satisfied with Villepin's performance, down one point in a month.

Over the past four nights, riots broke out in the Paris suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois. Six police officers were hurt, and 11 people were arrested during the disturbances.

Yesterday, interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy defended his decision to crack down on street violence, saying, "I want these people to be able to live in peace. For 30 years the situation has been getting worse in a number of neighbourhoods."

Polling Data

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with Jacques Chirac's performance as president?

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with Dominique de Villepin's performance as prime minister?

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