Macron’s popularity hits record low: Just 29% of respondents satisfied with his leadership
Only 29% satisfied with his leadership
Paris, Sept. 23: The popularity of French President Emmanuel Macron has hit its lowest level since the start of his term, according to a major tracker poll published on Sunday, with just 29% of respondents satisfied with his leadership.
The poll by research group Ifop and published in the Journal du Dimanche showed an overall fall of five points in September compared with August, reflecting the 40- year- old’s battle with a series of domestic and foreign setbacks.
The results of the widely watched Ifop poll are broadly in line with other surveys that have shown the approval ratings of the centrist falling sharply following a scandal involving a security aide in July.
A separate poll by the Kantar Sofres Onepoint group published on September 17 showed that only 19 percent of French people had a positive view of Macron’s record, while another survey on September 11 showed only 29% thought he was a “good President.”
The results reinforce a longer- term trend of French voters turning quickly on their presidents soon after their election — something suffered by Macron’s predecessors Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy. But many analysts also believe Macron has made a series of political errors, including failing to address the scandals over the summer quickly enough and repeatedly creating negative headlines with harsh or condescending remarks.
Opinion poll reflects Macron’s battle with a series of domestic and foreign setbacks
His pro- business reforms have failed so far to produce a significant fall in unemployment
His leadership style was again questioned last week when he told an unemployed gardener to take up a job in restaurant for better growth