Macron’s Approval Rating Plummets by 6 Points Following Dissolution of French Parliament

President Emmanuel Macron’s approval rating has plummeted by six points following his decision to dissolve the French parliament.

This information comes from a survey conducted by BVA Xsight for RTL.

The poll revealed that 26% of respondents have a favourable view of Macron, a drop of six points since May. Conversely, 74% of those surveyed (+6 points) expressed a negative opinion of the president.

According to RTL, Macron’s popularity has never been this low, not even during the protests against pension reforms in April 2023 or the “yellow vests” movement in November 2018.

Regarding the dissolution of the National Assembly, 59% believe the president is not acting responsibly, and 54% think this decision will neither clarify the political situation nor invigorate democratic debates (53%).

A significant majority of the French public, 70%, do not want Macron to participate in a general election campaign.

This data was collected from an online survey conducted on Wednesday and Thursday, involving 1,003 respondents, with a margin of error of approximately 2.5 points.

Macron dissolved the National Assembly earlier this month and called for snap parliamentary elections after his party suffered a defeat in the European Parliament elections.

Notably, the far-right “National Rally” remains the frontrunner in public opinion polls, just ten days before the snap parliamentary elections, where Macron’s party risks finishing third.

The move to dissolve parliament has sparked widespread criticism. The decision, perceived by many as a last-ditch effort to regain control, has instead deepened political uncertainty.

The survey results suggest that a significant portion of the French electorate is sceptical about Macron’s leadership and the effectiveness of his recent actions.

The dissolution comes at a time of intense political fragmentation in France. The centrist party led by Macron has faced mounting opposition not only from traditional political adversaries but also from within its own ranks.

The recent European Parliament election results, where Macron’s party fell behind both the far-right and the left-wing coalitions, highlight the extent of his political challenges.

The National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, continues to gain traction among voters disillusioned with the current administration. Le Pen’s party has capitalised on economic anxieties and a growing sentiment of national discontent, positioning itself as a formidable force in French politics.

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European Parliament Elections 2024 Gain Significance with Macron’s Decision to Dissolve French Parliament, writes Denis MacShane