(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in France think former finance minister Nicolas Sarkozy could be a successful head of state, according to a poll by BVA published in Le Figaro. 57 per cent of respondents believe Sarkozy would be a good president.

In November, the 49-year-old Sarkozy was elected president of the centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP). Five months earlier, French president Jacques Chirac declared he would not allow Sarkozy to keep his post as finance minister and head the UMP, saying this would undermine prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin. Sarkozy was replaced by Hervé Gaymard in the cabinet.

Chirac won the presidential election in 1995 as a UMP nominee, and was re-elected in a run-off over Jean-Marie Le Pen in May 2002. The 72-year-old head of state has not ruled out becoming a candidate for the third time in 2007. 70 per cent of respondents want Sarkozy to run for president, even if it means opposing the current head of state.

On Feb. 25, Gaymard resigned from cabinet after acknowledging a "serious error of judgement concerning the terms of my official residence." The politician was replaced by Thierry Breton in the finance portfolio.

Polling Data

Do you personally believe Nicolas Sarkozy would be a good president?

In 2007, would you want Nicolas Sarkozy to run for president, even if he has to stand against Jacques Chirac in the first round?

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