Sarkozy's poll ratings plunge

PARIS – French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s approval ratings have sunk to near-record lows, a poll showed yesterday, amid frustration…

PARIS – French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s approval ratings have sunk to near-record lows, a poll showed yesterday, amid frustration over political mistakes and rising employment one month before regional elections.

A poll by Ifop for the weekend newspaper Journal du Dimancheshowed approval of Mr Sarkozy at 36 per cent, down 2 per cent from a month earlier and close to an all-time low of 35 per cent in May 2008, a year after he took office.

Workers and civil servants showed the highest level of dissatisfaction with Mr Sarkozy, against a background of rising unemployment and debt and plans to reform the pensions system.

Respondents saw Mr Sarkozy as a divisive figure, the paper said. – (Reuters)