Variations in French Opinion
During the 20th century, French opinion on the death penalty has greatly changed, as many polls have showed large differences from one time to another.
- In 1908, Le Petit Parisien published a poll in which 77% of people asked were in favor of the death penalty.
- In 1960, a survey from the IFOP showed that 50% of the French were against, while 39% were for.
- In 1972, in a survey from the same institute, 27% of those surveyed were for abolition while 63% were for capital punishment.
- In 1981, Le Figaro carried out a survey the day after the vote for abolition. It indicated that 62% of the French were for maintaining the death penalty.
- In 1998, IFOP's and France Soir's survey showed that opinions were split in half, with 54% against the death penalty and 44% for it.
- In 2006, TNS Sofres survey show opposition of the French people to death penalty generally: 52% are now against death penalty and 41% are pro-death penalty.
- In 2007, according to Argus Reid Global Monitor, 52% of French are anti-death penalty and 45% are pro-death penalty.
- In 2012, a TNS Sofres survey shows that 33% of French people are pro-death penalty.
As with all surveys on a subject this sensitive, public opinion is quite changeable, depending on current affairs. The different surveys taken have shown that, at the time of appalling crimes (particularly those that affect children), public opinion can quickly return to a majority in favour of re-establishing capital punishment.
Read more about this topic: Capital Punishment In France
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