(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - People in France are growing disappointed with the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy, according to a poll by BVA published in L’Express. 58 per cent of respondents hold a negative opinion of the president’s performance, up 10 points since January.

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. 44 per cent of respondents have a positive opinion of Fillon’s performance, up one point in a month.

On Feb. 21, Jean Sarkozy—the French president’s 21-year-old son—announced he is running for a local office in a canton, the smallest administrative division in France. Jean Sarkozy will campaign in south Neuilly, where his father served as mayor from 1983 to 2002.

The candidate acknowledged he discussed the decision with his father, saying, "He told me to be myself and accept my responsibilities. I’m very aware of the stakes. (...) It’s not an appointment, it’s a candidacy. A risk to take, and a risk I accept."

Polling Data

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

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

Source: BVA / L’Express
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,094 French adults, conducted from Feb. 14 to Feb. 16, 2008. No margin of error was provided.

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