Macron and Bayrou: The Most Unpopular Executive Duo in Modern French History
According to recent surveys, French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister François Bayrou form the least popular government in the history of the Fourth and Fifth Republics.
Their approval ratings stand at only 19% and 18%, respectively.
This starkly contrasts with the support enjoyed by previous leaders, particularly François Hollande, who had merely 13%, marking a period of minimal approval for modern French heads of state.
While Prime Minister Valls commanded a much higher approval—38%, combining with Hollande’s support to a total of 51%—the current administration has garnered only 37% overall backing from the populace.
Such a level of approval is unprecedentedly low in France’s contemporary political landscape.
The situation worsened notably after the government of Michel Barnier was subjected to a vote of no confidence, which further eroded Macron’s popularity to just 21%.
In April, his support was at 28%, a decline attributed mainly to external factors such as Trump’s rhetoric on tariffs, international instability, and nationwide rallying around the national flag.
Presently, trust in Macron continues to decline, with only 49% of voters who supported him in 2022 expressing satisfaction with his current actions.
Macron has previously stated his intention to continue his political career beyond his 2027 term, even considering running for president again in 2032, in accordance with the provisions of the French Constitution.