French President Emmanuel Macron’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest point since the 2018 Yellow Vest protests, with Marine Le Pen emerging as the leading candidate to replace him. A recent Ipsos poll conducted on January 8-9 among 1,000 representative voters shows Macron’s popularity declining by two points to 21%, a stark drop for the president as his administration struggles with mounting challenges.
The poll results, reported by Le Figaro, reveal that Macron’s support now mirrors levels seen during the Yellow Vest protests, which were sparked by public outrage over green taxation policies. Prime Minister François Bayrou, appointed in December after the previous government’s ousting, fared even worse in the poll, garnering just 20% approval—the lowest of any prime minister in the Macron era.
France’s current political climate is marked by economic turmoil, including a debt crisis, potential EU sanctions, and a recent national credit downgrade. Macron’s administration faces significant hurdles in passing a budget, as the National Assembly remains deeply divided following snap legislative elections last summer. These elections left the parliament in a three-way split, complicating legislative progress and straining relations between parties.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, stands at 34% in the race to succeed Macron, positioning her as the top contender. Her deputy, Jordan Bardella, follows closely at 33%, reflecting the populist party’s growing influence. Neo-liberal former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe trails at 30%, with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and Macronist ex-Prime Minister Gabriel Attal polling at 25% and 24%, respectively.
Despite her lead, Le Pen faces obstacles, including a two-round voting system designed to block outsider parties and an ongoing trial over alleged misuse of EU funds. A conviction could bar her from running for office for five years, posing a significant threat to her campaign.
While Macron has pledged to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, rising internal and international pressures may challenge his ability to stay in power, with some predicting he may resign early.
