(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A third of people in France are concerned about job creation, according to a poll by LH2 published in Libération. 33 per cent of respondents believe reducing unemployment should be one of the priorities for French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Reducing social inequalities is second in the list of problems with 25 per cent, followed by preserving the health care system and enhancing purchasing power with 24 per cent each, preserving the environment and looking after retired people with 22 per cent, and lowering taxes with 20 per cent.

On May 6, centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) candidate and former interior minister Sarkozy won the presidential run-off with 53.06 per cent of the vote. Sarkozy was sworn in on May 16. On May 17, the president appointed François Fillon as prime minister. Fillon had been Sarkozy's adviser in the UMP for over two years, and was also his presidential campaign leader.

Last month, France's unemployment rate fell to 8.2 per cent—its lowest level in 24 years. French employment minister Xavier Bertrand vowed to recognize the status of trainees, saying, "I don't want trainees to do practically the work of an employee without receiving any social security cover or remuneration. There will thus be a framework for work placements and trainees."

France will hold the second round of its National Assembly election today. First round voting took place on Jun. 10. Preliminary results placed the governing UMP in first place with 39.5 per cent of the vote, followed by the centre-left Socialist Party (PS) with 24.7 per cent. The UMP also secured 98 of the 110 seats that were decided outright in the first round.

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In your view, which should be the priorities of Nicolas Sarkozy's government?
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