French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s approval ratings have taken a nosedive. Back in June he had the backing of 61 percent of respondents, whereas latest polls show that only 52 percent express confidence in the president’s ability to reform the country — a nine percent drop in just over six months. This is a worrying trend for any president, particularly for one who prides himself on his communication skills and who has set performance evaluation parameters for all his ministers.
It is, however, not his government’s policies, which are behind the drop in his popularity. Quite the opposite, of the 12 core policies proposed by his government, 11 received popular support. His plan to amend the French Constitution to guarantee gender equality and respect diversity got 89 percent approval while another plan to introduce immigration quotas was endorsed by 53 percent of the population.
So what’s the measure that has failed to gain popular support? It’s none other than the end of the 35-hour working week. Fifty percent of the respondents think it is a bad idea to abolish this uniquely French privilege, whilst 43 percent are convinced by Sarkozy’s repeated campaign motto: “Work more to earn more.”
The fact is that the French populace will have to accept that if they want to earn more — and polls consistently confirm that increasing purchasing power is the most important issue for the French public — they will have to work more. The 35-hour week is dead if not buried. Even Segolene Royal, Sarkozy’s opponent at the presidential elections, did not support it and accepted it would need to be changed. The difference is that the socialists would like it changed, say back to 39 hours a week, but keep the principle of having fixed working hours, with the rights to overtime that they engender. Whereas what is currently on the table will eventually do away with the principle as a whole: Workers will negotiate their working hours directly with their employers.
Why then is Sarkozy experiencing a dip in his popularity ratings? The obvious answer is that his personal life has overshadowed his professional life. First a divorce, then romance with a former model and now an engagement with talk of an imminent secret wedding. It’s not the way things are usually done in France. The president’s private life is normally just that: private. But no more. The French media broke a long-held tradition and published photographs of Carla Bruni and Sarkozy. The president himself answered questions on the subject at a press conference this week and confirmed that they were in a serious relationship and intended to marry. The president’s private life is clearly no longer out of bounds. Add to that three books being published this week on Sarkozy’s now ex-wife Cecilia, all of which paint a particularly unflattering picture of Sarkozy. All of this adds up to business not as usual and it’s hardly surprising that this is creating some concern among voters.
This disenchantment is essentially about style, not substance. President Sarkozy’s style is dramatically different from that of his predecessors. Many see his style as more American than French, something which does not go down too well in France.
But Sarkozy need not worry unduly. If the French are called to vote tomorrow, they will vote for him again. He remains committed to reforming France and promoting its interests. What counts back home is that he has the support of the French public for his policies. And what counts as he arrives in Riyadh tomorrow is that he understands and values the importance of the Kingdom as France’s strategic partner. Some may not find him as Arab-friendly as his predecessor Jacques Chirac, but that is only relative. France and Saudi Arabia continue to enjoy strong and positive relations and Sarkozy will show his customary zeal and energy in striving to use this visit to take Franco-Saudi relations to new heights.
