Macron faces record low approval ratings midway through second term

French president Emmanuel Macron has reached unprecedented levels of unpopularity halfway through his second term as President of France.

With 79% of French citizens expressing dissatisfaction with his leadership, Macron's approval ratings have plummeted to their lowest since he assumed office in 2017, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Only 21% of respondents expressed satisfaction with his performance, underscoring the deepening disenchantment with his administration.

This level of unpopularity places Macron among the least supported presidents of the Fifth Republic. François Hollande holds the record for the lowest approval rating, with just 13% satisfaction in late 2014. However, unlike predecessors Charles de Gaulle and François Mitterrand—whose approval ratings dipped in the latter stages of their presidencies—Macron's standing has reached this nadir with two and a half years remaining in his tenure.

The data highlights a sharp decline in support from pensioners and older voters, a demographic that largely backed Macron in his 2022 re-election bid. His popularity among retirees has dropped by 10 points, reflecting discontent within a key electoral base.

Analysts attribute this erosion to policy decisions such as the controversial increase in the Generalized Social Contribution (CSG) tax and debates over pension reforms. These measures have fuelled perceptions that retirees are disproportionately bearing the financial burdens of Macron's fiscal strategies.

Frédéric Dabi, director of the polling institute Ifop, noted, "The rise in the CSG and ongoing discussions about the financial contributions of retirees have significantly undermined trust in these groups."

Despite the stark figures, there is a slight decline in the proportion of "very dissatisfied" respondents, which dropped by four points to 44%. Dabi suggests that Macron's recent acknowledgement of political missteps, including his comments on the dissolution of the National Assembly during his New Year’s address, may have tempered the tone of public criticism.

However, many citizens still express a sense of abandonment. "He travels abroad and seems to have forgotten about us," said one respondent. Another added, "After causing chaos in France, he's now touring the world."

By Aghakazim Guliyev