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Poll delivers new blow to Hollande
Survey suggests President would would not make second round of voting if Presidential election was held tomorrow
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.
