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Nicolas Sarkozy

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in France believe their interior minister made a mistake in using a particular word to refer to the people who allegedly took part in civil unrest, according to a poll by CSA published in Marianne. 51 per cent of respondents believe Nicolas Sarkozy was wrong to use the word "scum" to refer to young people in the suburbs.

On Oct. 27, riots broke out in the Paris suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois after the death of two teenagers who allegedly were being pursued by police officers. On Nov. 17, French authorities declared a "return to normalcy" in the whole country. Over 20 nights of violence—which spread to 19 French provinces—at least 8,973 vehicles were torched, 2,888 people were arrested, 126 police officers were injured, and one person died.

Sarkozy has been named as a possible presidential candidate for the governing centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) in the 2007 election. The current interior minister holds large leads against several opposition politicians, including Jean-Marie Le Pen of the National Front (FN) and François Hollande of the Socialist Party (PS). However, he trails by five points in a direct contest against current prime minister Dominique de Villepin.

Polling Data

Would you say that Nicolas Sarkozy was right or wrong in employing the expression "scum" while speaking about certain young people of suburbs?

If the presidential election took place today, who would you vote for if these candidates were running?

Nicolas Sarkozy 78% - 9% Jean-Marie Le Pen
Nicolas Sarkozy 54% - 33% François Bayrou
Nicolas Sarkozy 54% - 35% François Hollande
Nicolas Sarkozy 52% - 40% Ségolène Royal
Nicolas Sarkozy 50% - 39% Jack Lang
Nicolas Sarkozy 41% - 46% Dominique de Villepin

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