French President Emmanuel Macron has hit a new low in public approval since his election in 2017, according to a poll published on Sunday. The survey, conducted by Ifop and featured in the Journal de Dimanche newspaper, revealed that only 21 percent of respondents expressed satisfaction with Macron’s leadership.  

 

This marks a significant decline, surpassing even the unpopularity he faced during the height of the "yellow vests" protests in 2019. Those demonstrations, which spanned more than a year, saw weekly anti-Macron rallies across the country. At that time, his popularity had dropped to 22 percent—a figure that, until now, was his lowest recorded approval rating.  

 

In this latest poll, an overwhelming 79 percent of respondents voiced discontent with the president, with 35 percent stating they were dissatisfied and 44 percent expressing great dissatisfaction.  

 

Adding to the concern for Macron is the noticeable shift among one of his traditionally loyal voter bases. Since a similar poll conducted in December, his approval rating among older people and pensioners—typically strong supporters of the president—has plunged by 10 percent.  

 

The timing of this decline coincides with a series of political challenges. Macron’s decision to dissolve parliament last summer, just before Paris hosted the Olympic Games, has contributed to an ongoing political deadlock. The subsequent parliamentary elections yielded inconclusive results, throwing France into a period of political uncertainty that has yet to be resolved.  

 

The survey was conducted online between January 15 and 23, gathering responses from 2,001 people aged 18 and over. As Macron’s administration faces increasing scrutiny, these results underscore the mounting dissatisfaction within the French electorate.  

 

Based on a report by AFP 2025-01-28

 

 

The new Parliament is unworkable (noone has or can organize a majority). And this in a country which has lost (since 1958) the art of negotiation & doing deals between competing political forces.

 

Only two possible solutions: (1) Hold another Parliamentary election, with no guarantee of a different outcome, or (2) Macron resigns (only 2 years in to his second 5-year term) and the focus shifts to a battle for the Presidency with unknown consequences for a future new Parliament.

France is no exception to what’s happening in many countries around the world.

Presidents and Prime Ministers are the Roman emperors of the « modern » ages. They watch their cities burning to the ground while having a total lack of empathy for anybody: « Après moi le déluge « .

Then they wonder why right wing parties are surging and gaining votes.

France and Canada same incompetent politicians: Recycling old politicians after washing, rinsing and expecting different results.

Anyway policies and decisions are the privileges of the unelected members of the EU Commission. Elected politicians will soon be a dying breed (Schwab, Davos 2025).

On 1/28/2025 at 1:14 AM, mfd101 said:

The new Parliament is unworkable (noone has or can organize a majority). And this in a country which has lost (since 1958) the art of negotiation & doing deals between competing political forces.

 

Only two possible solutions: (1) Hold another Parliamentary election, with no guarantee of a different outcome, or (2) Macron resigns (only 2 years in to his second 5-year term) and the focus shifts to a battle for the Presidency with unknown consequences for a future new Parliament.

or (3) the UK incorporates France under the UK umbrella - restructure the governing body to be 5 reps from each country, majority rules.

1 hour ago, mrwebb8825 said:

or (3) the UK incorporates France under the UK umbrella - restructure the governing body to be 5 reps from each country, majority rules.

 

Oooo...like your thinking.....not that long ago we 'owned' huge chunks of France...so really Calais, Normandy, Brittany should come back into the fold at least.......maybe put in a bid for Greenland whilst we are at it?