Ifop for the Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis surveyed the French on their perception of the animal condition and the place given to this issue in the context of the municipal elections. The study analyzes the influence of this issue on voting, the importance they attach to it in their local authority’s action, their level of satisfaction with existing initiatives, and their expectations of candidates.
At a time when the municipal election campaign is in full swing, and uncertainty is running high in some major cities (Paris, Marseille, Toulon…), Ifop has observed that the French have high expectations of their next mayor, with security and healthcare in the forefront of their minds, closely linked to the concerns of the French (the fight against drug trafficking, the perceived deterioration of public hospitals, medical deserts…). Today, mayors are expected to take action in a number of areas, suffering from a crisis in policy results on a national scale, and the animal condition is no exception…
A. The condition of animals: a theme perceived by the French as a major issue for municipal action
Nearly half of French people (51%) consider that a candidate’s stance or measures in favor of the animal cause would be likely to encourage them to vote for him or her.
There are differences according to age: young people (67% of under-35s) are more sensitive than seniors (41%), as are “pet owners” (63% vs. 37% among French people who don’t own pets). There is no difference according to geographical location or level of education.
In addition to socio-demographic variables, partisan proximity is also a factor. 66% of left-wing supporters (including 74% of LFI and Ecologistes supporters) consider that a candidate’s stance or measures announced in favor of the animal cause would be likely to encourage them to vote for him/her, compared with 35% of those close to the Republicans and 51% of Rassemblement National supporters.
A majority of French people (58%) also consider “the integration of animals in cities and the improvement of the animal condition” to be important or even a priority for their municipality.
This opinion is held by a majority of people in all age categories, with higher results among young people (63%). The importance of the theme is transparent, with higher results among LFI (61%) and especially ecologist (71%) supporters, which can be explained by the younger and more urban structure of these parties, but also by greater sensitivity to environmental issues. Pet ownership is also a factor in the importance attached to this theme (67%).
It should be noted that there is a hard core of one in five French people for whom the issue is of great importance and who are in a position to convert their concern into a vote for a candidate next March, with 18% stating that the issue will be “completely” important in their vote.
B. The mayor – a trusted local player for the animal condition – is expected by the French to develop projects and initiatives
Municipalities – local and trusted players – meet the high expectations of the French when it comes to the animal condition, since 76% of them are satisfied with their municipality’s work on the subject, unlike politicians at national level.
Although satisfaction is in the majority everywhere, we note generational differences: 63% of 18-24 year-olds say they are satisfied, compared with 77% of those aged 65 and over.
Despite this high level of satisfaction, the French are looking to municipalities to develop projects and initiatives.
Among the measures that municipalities could implement, they all meet with the approval of a very large majority of respondents. Measures concerning stray animals are the most popular (88% for “improved management of stray animals” and 85% for sterilization of stray cats), showing that despite overall satisfaction, municipalities still have shortcomings in managing this issue. French people’s expectations are lower for the appointment of an elected municipal official to deal with animal issues (65%), which can be explained by the growing sense of mistrust towards elected officials: French people therefore expect concrete measures to improve the condition of animals, rather than institutional and symbolic measures. However, the segments of the population that attach most importance to the animal condition are the most favorable to this measure (74% among ecologist sympathizers and 28% “very favorable” among 18-24 year-olds). This measure, which is not divisive, could therefore meet the expectations of this electorate and constitute a lever likely to swing a vote.
C. The French want the animal cause to be given greater prominence in municipal elections
Proof of this interest in the animal cause, the French expect candidates to talk more about the animal condition! A majority of French people (57% in general, and 58% in their city) feel that candidates talk “not enough” or “not at all” about this subject.
This dissatisfaction is particularly high among 18-24 year-olds (73%) and among ecologist sympathizers (77%), reflecting higher expectations than in the rest of the population, among strata over-represented in the hard core. This electorate is therefore more demanding than average on these issues, and requires greater attention from municipal candidates.
There is also a significant difference here between men and women, with dissatisfaction 10 points higher among women (62% vs. 52%). The same difference can be seen in the importance attached to the issue (53% for men versus 62% for women), demonstrating the gendered dimension of the animal condition among the general public.
