France's Hollande hits new low in approval rating

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

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 percent of respondents said they had a very positive opinion and 12 percent said it was positive.

Seventy-six percent said they had a rather negative or very negative opinion. Nine percent 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%), well ahead of taxes (13 percent) and immigration (nine percent).

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