Macron’s unpopularity reaches record levels

French President Emmanuel Macron’s approval rating has plunged to its lowest level since he first took office, hitting a record low of 14%, according to a new poll by Elabe for Les Echos. The figure marks a three-point drop in just one month, underscoring a deepening crisis of confidence in the president’s leadership.

Meanwhile, the far-right National Rally (RN) party continues to gain ground among voters. A Toluna Harris Interactive survey revealed that 35% of respondents would support the RN’s candidate in the 2027 presidential election. Sociologists say the National Rally candidate could reach the second round together with a contender from the left, reflecting the growing polarisation of French politics.

Another survey by OpinionWay assessed the RN’s prospects should the National Assembly be dissolved, suggesting the far-right could secure between 33% and 34% of the vote—potentially becoming the dominant force in parliament.

The political turbulence comes as Macron struggles to maintain control of a fragmented legislature. On October 6, he accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who had headed the government since September 9. Macron’s centrist alliance lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections, leaving any new government dependent on at least partial support from the opposition to function effectively.

Further compounding the president’s difficulties, a separate poll by the Odoxa Institute showed Macron reaching a new record in unpopularity. Eight years after assuming office, his approval rating has dropped to 22%, with 78% of respondents saying they do not consider him “a good president.” The institute noted the “collapse” of his popularity, which has fallen six points in recent months — the sharpest decline in eight years.

In the same survey, National Rally president Jordan Bardella and his predecessor Marine Le Pen lead public approval ratings, with 37% and 36% positive opinions respectively.

New Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, despite being relatively new to the post, fares slightly better in public perception. His approval rating stands at 32%, ten points higher than Macron’s and above that of former Prime Minister François Bayrou. However, Lecornu remains among the most criticised figures in government.

According to a Le Figaro poll conducted on September 25, 56% of French respondents described his early performance as “satisfactory,” yet 65% expressed doubt that he would be able to form a government capable of meeting public expectations.

By Tamilla Hasanova