(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - This month saw no improvement for French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s popularity, according to a poll by LH2 published in Libération. 37 per cent of respondents have a positive opinion of Sarkozy, down four points since February.

In May 2007, Sarkozy, a centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) candidate 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. 53 per cent of respondents are satisfied with Fillon’s performance so far, up six points in a month.

Earlier this month, bilateral relations between France and Germany became tense over Sarkozy’s push to create a Mediterranean Union of countries within the European Union (EU), which German chancellor Angela Merkel opposes. Both leaders eventually reached a compromise over the project.

On Mar. 3, Sarkozy highlighted the differences between the two countries, adding that they both have "culturally" dissimilar approaches to the state’s role in the economy. Merkel warned that such differences must be put aside, saying, "If Germany and France are not in agreement, it will be hard to find unity in Europe."

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: Interviews with 1,004 French adults, conducted on Feb. 29 and Mar. 1, 2008. No margin of error was provided.

Archive Search

Over 19,600 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.