Only 46% of French citizens support "block everything" protests Poll

Less than half of French citizens support the protest movement calling for demonstrations and a “complete shutdown” on September 10.

This emerges from public opinion polls conducted by IPSOS-Bva and CESI for La Tribune Dimanche, as per Caliber.Az.

Among 1,000 French respondents surveyed between September 3 and 4, only 46% expressed support for the protests and the online-born movement overall, while 26% were opposed. Support varies significantly across political lines: among voters of the left-wing La France Insoumise and their opponents in the right-wing Rassemblement National, 73% and 58% respectively back the movement. In contrast, support is lowest among voters of the presidential coalition Ensemble pour la République (12%) and the centre-right Les Républicains (19%).

Furthermore, 53% of respondents believe the movement will fail to gain broad public support and that the protests will be short-lived, while 47% anticipate the opposite, suggesting the demonstrations could reach a scale comparable to the Yellow Vest movement.

Opinions are also divided over whether political parties and trade unions should support the grassroots movement that emerged online. 36% believe that backing from politicians and unions would weaken the movement by giving it a political slant, while 34%—mostly left-wing voters—think support from experienced organisers would give the protests added momentum.

“It is also important to note that most French citizens do not see any political leader as capable of offering an effective solution to this discontent,” said Pierre Latrille, head of IPSOS public opinion surveys. Prime Minister François Bayrou is viewed as least capable, trusted by only 10% of respondents. The highest levels of confidence go to Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen of the right-wing Rassemblement National, but even they received only 40% and 37% support, respectively.

When asked about the main causes of the protests, 51% of respondents cited declining purchasing power. Other key grievances include Bayrou’s proposed budget deficit reduction plan (47%) and dissatisfaction with both the Prime Minister and President Emmanuel Macron (43%). Additionally, 40% said the demonstrations were fueled by the “growing distance between elites and the people,” and 35% pointed to excessive taxation.

By Khagan Isayev