December 13, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many French adults are disappointed with Jacques Chirac, according to a poll by Louis-Harris published in Libération. 58 per cent of respondents have a negative opinion of their president.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many French adults are disappointed with Jacques Chirac, according to a poll by Louis-Harris published in Libération. 58 per cent of respondents have a negative opinion of their president.

Chirac won the presidential election in 1995, and was re-elected in a run-off over Jean-Marie Le Pen in May 2002. Following a defeat in last May's referendum on the European Constitution, Chirac named Dominique de Villepin as the country's new prime minister. 50 per cent of respondents have a positive opinion of de Villepin, up five points in a month.

By video message, Chirac addressed delegates at the United Nations (UN) climate change conference in Montreal last week. The French president called on industrialized countries to make a "heightened effort" so that greenhouse gases emissions can be cut by half by 2050.

As most industrialized countries are having considerable difficulty meeting the Kyoto obligations, the plan negotiated in Montreal contains few specifics, stating only that the parties would "aim to complete" reduction goals "as soon as possible." France has managed to reduce its emission levels to 1.9 per cent below its 1990 mark.

Polling Data

Do you have a positive or negative opinion of president Jacques Chirac?

	Dec. 2005	Nov. 2005	Oct. 2005
Positive	34%	33%	31%
Negative	58%	58%	61%

Do you have a positive or negative opinion of prime minister Dominique de Villepin?

	Dec. 2005	Nov. 2005	Oct. 2005
Positive	50%	45%	43%
Negative	41%	47%	47%

Source: Louis-Harris / Libération
Methodology: Interviews with 1,003 French adults, conducted on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3, 2005. No margin of error was provided.