Macron's popularity falls as summer break approaches, poll shows

[webfact]

Macron's popularity falls as summer break approaches, poll shows

 

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to Secretary General of the International Organisation of French-speaking countries (OIF) Michaelle Jean at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 31, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

 

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron heads into the summer break faced with falling popularity ratings after tough debates in parliament over labour reform and a public ethics law, a standoff with the military and cuts to housing assistance.

 

A YouGov poll published on Thursday showed 36 percent of voters held a favourable view of the 39-year-old, a fall of 7 points on the previous month and echoing the downward trend seen in other surveys.

 

Centrist Macron, France's youngest leader since Napoleon, was elected in May on a promise to usher in sweeping economic and social reforms to haul France out of its economic malaise. The main concern of voters was the same as before the election - unemployment - the YouGov survey showed.

 

On the jobs reform front, Macron's government scored a victory this week when it won the Senate's backing to deregulate the labour market that will now go back to company bosses and trade unions before being written into law.

 

Parliament's lower house is also expected next week to approve a new public ethics bill, over-ruling Senate objections to a proposal scrapping a constituency fund for lawmakers. The bill is designed to clean up French politics.

 

But a reduction in housing aid, controversy over the timing of promised tax breaks for tenants, and allegations of financial scandal against members of his government that led to some early ministerial resignations have tainted Macron's first months in the Elysee.

 

The resignation of his armed forces chief after a row between the two men over defence budget cuts was another early blow, and the standoff was seen by Macron's critics as evidence of an over-controlling nature.

 

With Macron and his prime minister both suffering declining popularity ratings in past weeks, the president issued a warning to his ministers at a cabinet meeting in July.

 

"Don't get caught up in the comfort of the documents written up for you by your civil servants. It might seem easy for you to be placed into their hands. But if you continue like this, in six months you will be nobodies," Macron said in a comment widely published by French media.

 

The Yougov poll showed a 14-point slide in backing for Macron among his party's supporters, although a huge 81 percent still said they held a favourable opinion of the president.

 

Professing to be neither of the right nor left, Macron has performed a delicate balancing act to maintain harmony within his year-old LREM party and its allies, announcing tax reforms that socialist opponents say favour the rich and the temporary nationalisation of the STX shipyard to protect local jobs.

 

The ensuing spat with Italy, whose Fincantieri has been blocked from taking a controlling stake, has raised questions over Macron's credentials as a leading driver of European integration.

 

"Emmanuel Macron is now a man who stands for the national interest first," wrote London-based think-tank Eurointelligence in a blog.

 

(Reporting by Richard Lough; Editing by Andrew Callus)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-08-04

[Baerboxer]

The honeymoon in politics is over quickly.

 

Now we will see what Macron is made of. 

 

If he screws up, then the result could be to drive more support for the far right. That danger was warned of during the election but will possibly be quickly forgotten as frustrations and disagreements rise.

 

 

[Rancid]

So the French people are again waking up that they got exactly what they deserve for voting in a media hyped candidate with no substance? Sort of how Aussie voters feel 6 months after most elections.

[smedly]

lets see how the French and Germans get on without UK funds when they leave the EU

[mfd101]

The usual learning curve of the fresh-faced young things. Unfortunately, the lesson they mostly learn is: Keep your head down; do nothing likely to be useful or controversial (cf Hollande).

 

Sarkosy had a different reaction: Run round and round in circles extremely energetically. He still ended up in the same place.

[Becker]

1 hour ago, Rancid said:

So the French people are again waking up that they got exactly what they deserve for voting in a media hyped candidate with no substance? Sort of how Aussie voters feel 6 months after most elections.

He is doing exactly what he said he would do during the election and that is to try to reform France's extremely rigid labour market (among other things). Of course that was never going to be popular and it's a minor miracle there hasn't been any large scale demonstrations yet, although that is only a matter of time.

So in light of this maybe you can explain the "no substance" claim?

[ilostmypassword]

1 hour ago, smedly said:

lets see how the French and Germans get on without UK funds when they leave the EU

According to this article the average annual net contribution of the UK to the EU was 10 billion euros. Germany's budget was about 300 billion dollars with a surplus bigger than that 10 billion euros. In other words, 10 billion euros won't be difficult for the prosperous nations of the EU to come up with.

[Retiredandhappyhere]

20 hours ago, ilostmypassword said:

According to this article the average annual net contribution of the UK to the EU was 10 billion euros. Germany's budget was about 300 billion dollars with a surplus bigger than that 10 billion euros. In other words, 10 billion euros won't be difficult for the prosperous nations of the EU to come up with.

Not difficult on paper, no, but wait until each country is asked for its share.

[Kiwiken]

On 8/4/2017 at 4:34 PM, Becker said:

He is doing exactly what he said he would do during the election and that is to try to reform France's extremely rigid labour market (among other things). Of course that was never going to be popular and it's a minor miracle there hasn't been any large scale demonstrations yet, although that is only a matter of time.

So in light of this maybe you can explain the "no substance" claim?

And what will he achieve by Labour market reform. Longer working weeks, less Employee security . A far more stressed economy. Even if he deregulated as New Zealand did in the 1980's and 90's the result is falling incomes a temporary blip up for profits and then a return to the inevitable downward spiral. Result the top will continue bloating and the bottom will starve.

[Becker]

10 hours ago, Kiwiken said:

And what will he achieve by Labour market reform. Longer working weeks, less Employee security . A far more stressed economy. Even if he deregulated as New Zealand did in the 1980's and 90's the result is falling incomes a temporary blip up for profits and then a return to the inevitable downward spiral. Result the top will continue bloating and the bottom will starve.

So what would you suggest they do to revive the French economy?

[Kiwiken]

On 8/6/2017 at 10:36 PM, Becker said:

So what would you suggest they do to revive the French economy?

Lowering wages and lengthening working weeks which is the intention of Labour market Reform does not help the economy . it depresses Internal growth. It also does not increase productivity in the long run. Taking a Team of horses working 8 hours a day and getting rid of One. Making the remaining horse work 12 hours a day with less feed may cut your costs in the short term but the long term result is a nackered horse and your production shot. that my friend is the result of 33 years of Labour reform in NZ. My  thoughts are doing nothing will result in a result no better or worse than doing the reform. So what point the hardship inflicted on the Populace if at the end there is no gain for the Nation. Unless you feel a low wage economy is the best way to go?

[Grouse]

On 04/08/2017 at 11:32 AM, smedly said:

lets see how the French and Germans get on without UK funds when they leave the EU

OFF TOPIC

[Grouse]

The big issue is automation, robotics and AI. If we're not careful, capital will gain massively and labour will lose massively. We should have a 4 day week and 12 weeks holiday! I do!

[Aforek]

On 8/4/2017 at 11:34 AM, Becker said:

He is doing exactly what he said he would do during the election and that is to try to reform France's extremely rigid labour market (among other things). Of course that was never going to be popular and it's a minor miracle there hasn't been any large scale demonstrations yet, although that is only a matter of time.

So in light of this maybe you can explain the "no substance" claim?

I totaly agree with you, we have a new president who wants to change many things and reforms ; of course it's unpopular among people but it's what France needs , movement and changes what I see is that small entreprises, which are the basis of economy, are satisfied by Macron 

France needs a good kick to the ass, and it's what Macron gives give him a chance, he is here for 5 years 

 

[Grouse]

3 minutes ago, Aforek said:

I totaly agree with you, we have a new president who wants to change many things and reforms ; of course it's unpopular among people but it's what France needs , movement and changes

what I see is that small entreprises, which are the basis of economy, are satisfied by Macron 

France needs a good kick to the ass, and it's what Macron gives 

give him a chance, he is here for 5 years 

 

Vivre la France!

 

More Veuve Cliquot anyone? Hic.

[Becker]

2 hours ago, Kiwiken said:

Lowering wages and lengthening working weeks which is the intention of Labour market Reform does not help the economy . it depresses Internal growth. It also does not increase productivity in the long run. Taking a Team of horses working 8 hours a day and getting rid of One. Making the remaining horse work 12 hours a day with less feed may cut your costs in the short term but the long term result is a nackered horse and your production shot. that my friend is the result of 33 years of Labour reform in NZ. My  thoughts are doing nothing will result in a result no better or worse than doing the reform. So what point the hardship inflicted on the Populace if at the end there is no gain for the Nation. Unless you feel a low wage economy is the best way to go?

The intention of the labour market reform is to get employers to hire more workers, thus reducing unemployment. The rest of your post are just ramblings I can't comment on.

[Becker]

1 hour ago, Grouse said:

Vivre la France!

 

More Veuve Cliquot anyone? Hic.

At least it's more famous than the grouse!

[shanesox]

The Europhile fanatic Macron who is nationalising French ship building to prevent a private company in Italy buying. Oh the hypocrisy of another EU leaders fakery! Nationalism rules every time

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

[shanesox]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-27/macron-nationalizes-shipyard-in-domestic-step-spooking-outsiders


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[smedly]

funny discussion this, time people realised that the only net contributions into the EU were from the British and the Germans, as for who benefited  most (by a considerable margin) from the EU ....well Germany did and it is not by any small amount .................... it is huge

 

The EU or Common market started out well and the intention was good but it morphed into a power hungry debacle were those that sang the tune were rewarded with huge pensions and power, but when you wade through all the shit and look at the reality - and it really is very simple - the only country that is winning all these years later is .........................Germany..............................why is that.........seriously, why is that, people need to waken up, Donald  sees it very clearly.............like him or loath him, he has called them out and knows exactly were it's at, very cleaver man but not a politician. 

 

What honestly bothers me is that how out of a union of 27 nations there is only one that is solvent.....is that really a union of anything ? why is it that one nation (Germany) does so well from the EU....why ? well for one there are people in places of influence that are being taken care of, is it all very sinister ?  well yes and it is also very obvious.

 

I laugh when I hear the Germans wanting to introduce a 2x speed Europe.............Oh yes the union is intact and lets get a closer Union they say ? but if the British leave we need to go a different direction from you lot that contribute nothing - there will be your EU and the German EU, we might let the French in but they need to up their game otherwise they can join the other version of EU that we are not part of.................honestly - is that funny or what ?

 

Meanwhile in the highlands of Scotland they are all wanting to be a part of this charade ? with Sturgeon leading them off a cliff, well maybe after downing a few Grouse and dreaming of some utopia in the new 2 speed EU - there's no coming back lol, the two main financial backers have left the building...............so funny, honestly it really is

 

The whole EU thing is rotten to the core and it is obvious, it is in your face - it is not complicated, one country of the 27 is thriving......................why is that, why is this Europe so called Union not a union, why is only one country .........Germany getting all the goods

 

Thank God the UK remained out of a major part of this scam - the Euro

 

How about all the nations of the EU (excluding Germany and all those in unelected AH's in Brussels) forming up a union of traders and countries free to trade with each other and the rest of the world.....oh yes it was called the EEC

 

Rant over

 

PS no proof reading but I'm sure you get the gist   

 

 

[smedly]

4 hours ago, shanesox said:

The Europhile fanatic Macron who is nationalising French ship building to prevent a private company in Italy buying. Oh the hypocrisy of another EU leaders fakery! Nationalism rules every time

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

yes the E Union getting closer lol

 

EEC  started well but is now very obviously falling apart, what will the UK be exiting from..........what I see is a new joining ........................ you read it here first

[observer90210]

Of course it would fall, what's new here?

 

A bit like the popular party guy...as long as he pays for the booze , the sick buffalo and the weenies, he's "the" chap to be hanging around with.....but when the cash flow drops, so will his popularity..

 

Same in politics...you give lovely promises in your campaign and you are the front page hero!!....when reality catches up and you cannot provide for half of what you promised, you're the guy to be busted, fast!

 

Human nature!

[Kiwiken]

8 hours ago, Becker said:

The intention of the labour market reform is to get employers to hire more workers, thus reducing unemployment. The rest of your post are just ramblings I can't comment on.

The opposite will be the result.

[mfd101]

12 hours ago, Becker said:

The intention of the labour market reform is to get employers to hire more workers, thus reducing unemployment. The rest of your post are just ramblings I can't comment on.

Yes. Of course, trade unions everywhere never care about the unemployed because they don't pay membership fees ...