Marcon on brink: French President’s popularity PLUMMETS to new low amid riots and protests
FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s popularity ratings hit new lows as the “yellow vest” protests gathered speed, according to an Ifop-Fiducial poll published on Tuesday.
By ROMINA MCGUINNESS
Express.co.uk
Wed, Dec 5, 2018
Mr Macron’s satisfaction rating fell to 23 percent in November, down six percentage points on the previous month, the poll for Paris Match and Sud Radio showed. Mr Philippe’s approval rating fell by 10 percentage points to 26 percent. Seventy-six per cent of those interviewed said they were “dissatisfied” with Mr Macron’s actions as President, with half stressing they “totally disapproved” of his actions.
The 40-year-old leader’s score now matches the low recorded by his socialist predecessor François Hollande in late 2013, according to Paris Match.
Mr Hollande is widely considered to be the least popular head of state in modern French history.
The first “yellow vest” demonstrations began on November 17 – so-called because of the high-visibility jackets all French motorists must carry in their vehicles – were held to contest planned fuel tax increases, but have since evolved into a broader protest movement against Mr Macron.
Protesters have accused the French President of turning a blind eye to the rising cost of living that has left many struggling to make ends meet.
The “yellow vest” revolt caught Mr Macron unawares when it erupted on November 17, and has left him scrambling to respond to and defuse the deepest crisis of his presidency.
Four people have died and dozens have been injured in the rallies, which opinion polls suggest still attract the support of around two out of three French people.
On Tuesday, his centrist government caved in and surrendered to the rioters, announcing a six-month suspension of the fuel tax increase – but not a scuttling of it – in response to the violent protests, which are now in their third week.
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