January 31, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Jacques Chirac could earn a third term as president in France, according to a poll by Ifop published in Paris Match. At least 51 per cent of respondents would vote for Chirac in head-to-head contests against three Socialist politicians.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Jacques Chirac could earn a third term as president in France, according to a poll by Ifop published in Paris Match. At least 51 per cent of respondents would vote for Chirac in head-to-head contests against three Socialist politicians.

Chirac holds a two per cent edge over Socialist Party (PS) chairman François Hollande, a six per cent lead over former culture and education minister Jack Lang and a 12 per cent advantage over former prime minister Laurent Fabius.

Chirac won the presidential election in 1995, and was re-elected in a run-off over Jean-Marie Le Pen in May 2002, as a candidate for the centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP). Last November, Nicolas Sarkozy was confirmed as the UMP's new leader.

Sarkozy would also defeat the three Socialist contenders included in the poll, with margins of victory ranging from six to 14 per cent. The election is tentatively scheduled for April 2007.

Polling Data

What candidate would you vote for if the following politicians contested the second round of the 2007 presidential election?

Jacques Chirac 51% - 49% François Hollande
Jacques Chirac 53% - 47% Jack Lang
Jacques Chirac 56% - 44% Laurent Fabius
Nicolas Sarkozy 53% - 47% François Hollande
Nicolas Sarkozy 54% - 46% Jack Lang
Nicolas Sarkozy 57% - 43% Laurent Fabius

Source: Ifop / Paris Match
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 829 French adults, conducted on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21, 2005. No margin of error was provided.