(Angus Reid Global Scan) - The Socialist Party (PS) is the best-rated political organization in France, according to a poll by TNS-Sofres. 45 per cent of respondents have a favourable opinion of the Socialists.

The Greens (Verts) are second on the list with 42 per cent, followed by the centre-left Union for French Democracy (UDF) and the governing centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) with 32 per cent each, and the Communist Party (PC) with 25 per cent.

The National Front (NF) of Jean-Marie Le Pen is the lowest-ranked party with 11 per cent. Le Pen's political organization—deemed as extreme right—has been severely criticized for its stance on immigration.

On May 29, 54.8 per cent of all French voters rejected the European Constitution in a nationwide plebiscite. The outcome is regarded as a negative response to the current UMP government. Two days after the ballot, French president Jacques Chirac appointed Dominique de Villepin as the country's new prime minister, substituting Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

The next presidential ballot in France is tentatively scheduled for April 2007. Chirac has not ruled out becoming a candidate. De Villepin and current interior minister and UMP leader Nicolas Sarkozy are expected to seek the nomination.

The list of Socialist presidential hopefuls includes former prime minister Lionel Jospin, PS chairman François Hollande, former prime minister Laurent Fabius, former finance minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn and former Socialist leader Henri Emmanuelli.

Polling Data

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