April 26, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in France hold a negative view on the first year of Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidency, according to a poll by Ifop published in Paris Match. 72 per cent of respondents are dissatisfied with his performance so far, and 65 per cent think Sarkozy has not fulfilled his campaign promises.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in France hold a negative view on the first year of Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidency, according to a poll by Ifop published in Paris Match. 72 per cent of respondents are dissatisfied with his performance so far, and 65 per cent think Sarkozy has not fulfilled his campaign promises.

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.

Yesterday, Ségolène Royal—the candidate of the Socialist Party (SP) who lost in the run-off to Sarkozy—announced her intention to run again, saying, "It’s true that you have to start early to prepare a changeover in four years, because time goes by quickly. It’s not a secret for anyone that I am getting ready, obviously, for that deadline." Royal described Sarkozy’s tenure so far as "a failure" and "a lost year for France."

Polling Data

Over the course of the past year, has Nicolas Sarkozy fulfilled his campaign promises?

Yes	35%
No	65%

One year after the election of Nicolas Sarkozy as president, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with his performance?

Satisfied	28%
Dissatisfied	72%

Source: Ifop / Paris Match
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 956 French adults, conducted on Apr. 17 and Apr. 18, 2008. No margin of error was provided.