April 14, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Public support for Nicolas Sarkozy remains low in France, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 40 per cent of respondents have confidence in their president to face the country’s problems, up two points since March.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Public support for Nicolas Sarkozy remains low in France, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 40 per cent of respondents have confidence in their president to face the country’s problems, up two points since March.

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. 50 per cent of respondents express confidence in Fillon, down five points in a month.

On Apr. 11, Fillon discussed his views on climate change, saying, "Industrialized countries have an essential role in showing the way towards a type of growth that emits less carbon and in inviting emerging countries to participate in the fight against global warming."

Polling Data

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

	Apr. 2008	Mar. 2008	Feb. 2008
Confidence	40%	38%	42%
No confidence	54%	59%	52%

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

	Apr. 2008	Mar. 2008	Feb. 2008
Confidence	50%	55%	47%
No confidence	44%	32%	36%

Source: CSA / Le Parisien
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,004 French adults, conducted from Apr. 1 to Apr. 3, 2008. No margin of error was provided.