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16 January 2014

President Hollande’s approval rating among women is boosted by reports he’s having an affair

A poll reveals that Francois Hollande's popularity among French women has increased following news of his alleged affair with an actress.

By Sophie McBain

I had never imagined that France’s president, Francois Hollande, held much appeal for women. Several opinion polls have confirmed that he is France’s most unpopular president ever. I’d place him closer to Gerard Depardieu than Olivier Martinez on my personal sexy French man scale. And now it looks like he’s a cheat. The magazine Closer has alleged that Hollande has been conducting an affair with the actress, Julie Gayet. France’s first lady, Valerie Trierweiler has spent several days in hospital, with her aides reporting that she is suffering from “shock” at the news.

So how has this revelation about Hollande’s private life affected his dire personal ratings? Most peculiarly, the Evening Standard has reported that Hollande’s approval rating among women has jumped, from 23 to 26 per cent following the news. Women aged 25-34 and 50-64 were most likely have changed their opinion of him for the better.

At the same time, Hollande’s approval rating among men went down, from 31 per cent to just 28 – which means that overall, the French president’s popularity remains unchanged. The findings are based on a survey of 1,108 adults by LH2.

So how we interpret these figures? As another blow for the sisterhood, or more evidence that women always go for the bad guys?

 

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