(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A dark period in the popularity of French president Nicolas Sarkozy may be ending, according to a poll by LH2 published in Libération. 45 per cent of respondents have a positive opinion of Sarkozy, up 11 points since late June.

French prime minister François Fillon has also increased his standing. 52 per cent of respondents have a positive opinion of him, up seven points since late June.

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 Sept. 4, during a visit to Syria, Sarkozy—whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU)—urged Syria to help bring Iran’s nuclear development program under full inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), declaring, "Iran is taking a major risk in continuing its process of obtaining nuclear weapons, which we are certain is happening. (...) Syria can play an important role to convince Iran to be more transparent."

Polling Data

Do you have a positive or negative opinion of Nicolas Sarkozy’s performance as president?

Do you have a positive or negative opinion of François Fillon’s performance as prime minister?

Source: LH2 / Libération
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 French adults, conducted on Sept. 5 and Sept. 6, 2008. No margin of error was provided.

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