May 03, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Almost two-thirds of people in France are dissatisfied with Nicolas Sarkozy, according to a poll by BVA published in L’Express. 64 per cent of respondents have a negative opinion of their president, up nine points since March.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Almost two-thirds of people in France are dissatisfied with Nicolas Sarkozy, according to a poll by BVA published in L’Express. 64 per cent of respondents have a negative opinion of their president, up nine points since March.

The popularity of French prime minister François Fillon has also decreased. 43 per cent of respondents have a positive opinion of Fillon, down eight points in a month.

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 Fillon—who had been his adviser and presidential campaign leader—as prime minister.

On Apr. 30, Fillon said he wants to coordinate with the U.S. government in order to achieve global financial stability, saying, "We need a joint approach with the United States on exchange rates. There is political pressure to be put on China, with more chance of success if we’re united."

Polling Data

What is your opinion of Nicolas Sarkozy’s performance as president?

	Apr. 2008	Mar. 2008	Feb. 2008
Good	32%	40%	36%
Bad	64%	55%	58%

What is your opinion of François Fillon’s performance as prime minister?

	Apr. 2008	Mar. 2008	Feb. 2008
Good	43%	51%	44%
Bad	46%	36%	40%

Source: BVA / L’Express
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 994 French adults, conducted from Apr. 22 to Apr. 24, 2008. No margin of error was provided.