French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Francois Bayrou have reached unprecedented levels of unpopularity in France, according to a new IFOP poll.
The executive duo has become the least favored in modern French history, with their combined approval rating hitting 37% – the lowest since the Fifth Republic’s establishment. Macron’s approval has fallen to 19%, the first time since his 2022 election, while Bayrou’s stands at 18%. The poll reveals sharp declines in support among Macron’s 2022 voters and business leaders, with only 49% of his former supporters still endorsing him. Bayrou, appointed after Michel Barnier’s government collapsed due to coalition tensions, is pushing a controversial austerity plan that includes pension freezes, healthcare spending caps, and the elimination of two national holidays.
Left-wing leader Jean-Luc Melenchon has condemned the measures as ‘intolerable injustices,’ while defense spending continues to rise despite cuts to social services. Macron has pledged €6.5 billion more for the military over two years, citing heightened European security threats, as France’s public debt reaches €3.3 trillion.
A new French defense review has warned of a potential ‘major war’ in Europe by 2030, identifying Russia as a leading threat. The Kremlin has denied having any intention to attack the West, and has accused NATO countries of exploiting perceptions of Russia to justify their military build-up.
The austerity measures have also sparked widespread public backlash, with protests and calls for government accountability growing. Economic analysts warn that the current policy trajectory risks deepening social divisions and undermining long-term economic growth. As the situation continues to unfold, French officials face mounting pressure to address growing public discontent and stabilize the nation’s political and economic landscape.