June 21, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in France think the government’s defence policy should focus on defending the national territory, according to a poll by Ifop published in Acteurs Publics and Le Monde. 47 per cent of respondents share this opinion, while 38 per cent want the national administration to focus on stabilizing certain regions in the world.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in France think the government’s defence policy should focus on defending the national territory, according to a poll by Ifop published in Acteurs Publics and Le Monde. 47 per cent of respondents share this opinion, while 38 per cent want the national administration to focus on stabilizing certain regions in the world.

Only 15 per cent of respondents think protecting the interests of French citizens living abroad should be a priority.

In May 2007, Nicolas 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, defeating Socialist Party (PS) candidate Ségolène Royal. Sarkozy appointed François Fillon—who had been his adviser and presidential campaign leader—as prime minister.

In 1966, French president Charles de Gaulle withdrew France from the central command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), arguing that the group was controlled by the United States. On Jun. 18, Sarkozy announced major changes for France’s armed forces, including cutbacks and reintegrating the country to NATO’s command. The current president explained his decision, saying, "The most immediate threat today is that of a terrorist attack. The threat is there, it is real and we know that tomorrow it can take on a new form, even more serious, with nuclear, chemical and biological means."

In November 2004, Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo contravened a France-brokered peace deal in the African country by ordering an air strike on suspected rebel bases. Nine French peacekeepers and an American aid worker died in the attack. The French government—headed at the time by Jacques Chirac—responded by targeting the Abidjan airport, destroying helicopters and fighter planes.

Polling Data

Which if these three objectives should be the priority for France on the topic of defence?

Defending the national territory	47%
Stabilizing certain regions in the world	38%
Protecting the interests of French citizens living abroad	15%

Source: Ifop / Acteurs Publics / Le Monde
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 956 French adults, conducted from Jun. 12 to Jun. 13, 2008. No margin of error was provided.