April 07, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - French prime minister François Fillon has become increasingly popular in the European country, according to a poll by BVA published in L’Express. 51 per cent of respondents think Fillon’s performance as head of government has been good, up seven points since February.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - French prime minister François Fillon has become increasingly popular in the European country, according to a poll by BVA published in L’Express. 51 per cent of respondents think Fillon’s performance as head of government has been good, up seven points since February.

Satisfaction with French president Nicolas Sarkozy has also improved. 40 per cent of respondents describe his performance as good, up four points in a month.

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 Fillon—who had been his adviser and presidential campaign leader—as prime minister.

On Apr. 2, Fillon said France is opposed to bringing Ukraine and Georgia—two former Soviet republics—into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), declaring, "France will not give its green light to the entry of Ukraine and Georgia. We think that it is not the correct response to the balance of power in Europe, and between Europe and Russia." Russia opposes the entry of the two nations into NATO, which it sees as a threat to its national security.

Polling Data

What is your opinion of Nicolas Sarkozy’s performance as president?

	Mar. 2008	Feb. 2008	Jan. 2008
Good	40%	36%	45%
Bad	55%	58%	48%

What is your opinion of François Fillon’s performance as prime minister?

	Mar. 2008	Feb. 2008	Jan. 2008
Good	51%	44%	43%
Bad	36%	40%	43%

Source: BVA / L’Express
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,104 French adults, conducted from Mar. 27 to Mar. 29, 2008. No margin of error was provided.