France's Hollande hits new low in approval rating

Paris, France: Francois Hollande's approval rating has hit new lows, shedding six percentage points in a month with only 15 per cent of respondents now backing the beleaguered French president, a YouGov poll for the Huffington Post and i>TELE said on Thursday.

The finding is in line with other recent polls which have shown Hollande's standing with voters tumbling after a brief upturn at the end of the summer.

Asked how they judged Hollande's actions as president three per cent of respondents said they had a very positive opinion and 12 per cent said it was positive.

Seventy-six per cent said they had a rather negative or very negative opinion. Nine per cent would not comment.

The downturn follows the exposure of record unemployment, rising taxes and weak growth amid a growing nationwide feeling of despondency due to job cuts and factory closures.

Respondents also put unemployment at the top of their concerns (36 per cent), well ahead of taxes (13 per cent) and immigration (nine per cent).

The poll was carried out online between November 8 and 12 and was based on a sample of 950 voters.