Macron’s Popularity Crashes to Record Low as Political Chaos Shakes France

Emmanuel Macron’s Popularity Crashes to Record Low

French President Emmanuel Macron is ending 2025 on a grim note as his approval rating plunges to 25 percent—the lowest of his presidency, according to a new Toluna/Harris Interactive poll for LCI News.

The survey, released shortly before Macron’s scheduled New Year’s Eve address, highlights how deeply disillusioned the French public has become after a year marked by political turmoil, economic worries, and widening divisions within parliament.

Disillusionment Grows Among Voters

According to the poll, fewer than four in ten French people plan to watch Macron’s traditional end-of-year speech, a sign that many have tuned out of his leadership message. Analysts note that domestic politics, rather than foreign policy successes, now dominate public sentiment.

Jean-Daniel Lévy of Toluna/Harris explained that Emmanuel Macron is increasingly judged “through the prism of domestic concerns rather than international influence,” despite his efforts to maintain France’s global standing.

A Year Defined by Political Chaos

The president’s approval slump follows one of France’s most turbulent years in recent memory.

December 2024: Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government collapses.
September 2025: Successor François Bayrou is forced out after losing a confidence vote.
October 2025: Sébastien Lecornu resigns, then is reappointed weeks later, only to secure a temporary emergency budget before Christmas.

These rapid changes at the top have left parliament gridlocked, with no majority coalition capable of implementing long-term reforms. Macron’s controversial decision to call snap elections in June 2024 has been widely viewed as the trigger for the instability still plaguing French politics today.

Economic Strains Deepen

Amid political uncertainty, economic pressures have worsened. France’s public deficit now stands at 5.4% of GDP, one of the highest in the eurozone. The lack of a full 2026 budget has further shaken investor confidence, raising concerns in Brussels and prompting warnings from France’s national audit office.

Far-Right Momentum on the Rise

While Macron’s support crumbles, Jordan Bardella, the 30-year-old leader of the far-right Rassemblement national (RN), has climbed to the top of the approval rankings with 42 percent positive opinions.

Jordan Bardella’s steady ascent positions him and Marine Le Pen’s party as formidable contenders for the 2027 presidential election. His messaging—focused on security, cost-of-living issues, and France’s sovereignty—has struck a chord with voters frustrated by years of political deadlock.

Macron Looks to Foreign Policy for a Lifeline

Emmanuel Macron has made multiple attempts to reposition himself as a global statesman, spearheading diplomatic initiatives on Ukraine, strengthening ties with China, and advocating for European defence autonomy.

Yet despite his international activism, domestic dissatisfaction remains high. Economic stagnation, public sector strikes, and frustration with perceived elitism have all eroded his popularity among both progressives and conservatives.

What Happens Next for France

As 2025 comes to an end, Macron faces one of the toughest challenges of his political career: rebuilding trust and restoring stability before voters head to the polls again in 2027.

If political paralysis continues, some analysts warn that the Rassemblement national could convert its growing popularity into decisive power—potentially reshaping the French political landscape for a generation.