France's Sarkozy sees ratings slump, woes mount

By James Mackenzie

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy's approval ratings have fallen sharply following an uproar over plans to install his son as head of the agency in charge of the Paris business district La Defense, a poll on Tuesday showed.

Sarkozy's personal approval rating dropped six points to 39 percent, its lowest level, in a regular poll by the Ifop institute to be published in the weekly Paris Match on Thursday.

"This constitutes a clear sign of the twin dimension of the crisis last month: a crisis of governance and a crisis over the gap between the government's actions and the worries of citizens," Ifop said in a note on the survey.

Over recent weeks, a series of incidents have damaged Sarkozy's image as a tough leader committed to reforming France and breaking with the failed policies of past governments.

At the same time, he has faced growing discontent among lawmakers from his own centre-right UMP parties over subjects ranging from regional government reform to a planned carbon tax that will raise petrol prices.

After a group of senators said in a public statement they would not approve his plan to scrap a business tax, Sarkozy called his troops to order.

"Reforms are difficult. We have to stay united," he told party leaders in a meeting, according to a participant.

Prime Minister Francois Fillon also urged lawmakers not to use the press as a discussion forum.