(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The number of people who trust Nicolas Sarkozy has increased this month in France, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 40 per cent of respondents have confidence in their president to face national issues, up four points since July.

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 François Fillon—who had been his adviser and presidential campaign leader—as prime minister. 45 per cent of respondents express confidence in Fillon’s performance as prime minister, up one point in a month.

On Aug. 18, 10 French soldiers serving in Afghanistan were killed in an ambush by Taliban fighters. Sarkozy left France to visit the troops immediately after. On Aug. 20, the French president said he has no regrets for sending more soldiers to Afghanistan earlier this year, declaring, "I have no doubt that we must be here. I am also in shock (...) but I tell you in good conscience that if we had to do it again, I would do it again. Why are we here? It is because here we play a part in the freedom of the world. Here we are fighting against terrorism."

At least 926 coalition soldiers—including 22 French—have died in Afghanistan, either in support of the United States-led Operation Enduring Freedom or as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Polling Data

Do you have confidence in French president Nicolas Sarkozy to face the country’s problems?

Do you have confidence in French prime minister François Fillon to face the country’s problems?

Source: CSA / Le Parisien
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,008 French adults, conducted on Jul. 30, 2008. No margin of error was provided.

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