Poll delivers new blow to Hollande

PRESIDENT François Hollande would not make it through to the second round of a Presidential election if a vote was held tomorrow, according to a survey.

Three years into his term of office, the results of the poll published in Le Figaro, suggest that the President would limp to third place in the first round of a hypothetical election, with just 16% of the vote, behind UMP leader Nicolas Sarkozy (28%) and the Front National’s Marine Le Pen (26%).

The study hints Mr Hollande would fare worse if the Mayor of Bordeaux Alain Juppe was the UMP’s Presidential candidate. Mr Juppe, the poll says, would attract 32% of the vote, Ms Le Pen 29% and Mr Hollande just 15%.

Assuming he made it into the second round of voting, Mr Hollande would lose by some margin to both Mr Sarkozy and Mr Juppe, but he would win a close run-off with Ms Le Pen, the poll found.

According to the survey, the French are critical of the head the state after three years of his presidency. Only 3% of respondents describe themselves as "very satisfied" with his performance in office. Meanwhile, 17% say they are "somewhat satisfied", 37% "somewhat dissatisfied" and 42% "very dissatisfied”.

Mr Hollande’s standing is weakest in the fight against unemployment and taxation. Only 16% of those polled are satisfied with the job he has done to improve work prospects, while 18% approve of his tax policies.

He has fared better in “defending France’s interests abroad”, with a 40% satisfaction rating, while his stance against crime has the support of 33% of respondents.

Photo: Saly Bechsin