Macron and Bayrou Marked as Least Popular Leaders in Fifth Republic History

French President Emmanuel Macron and newly appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou have emerged as the most unpopular leadership duo in the country’s modern political history, according to a recent IFOP/JDD survey.

The survey showed that only 19% of respondents said they were satisfied with Macron’s performance, while Bayrou’s approval rating stands at 18%. Their combined approval amounts to just 37%.

A few days after the French Prime Minister unveiled a plan to cut 44 billion euros from the 2026 state budget, approximately 50% of respondents expressed strong dissatisfaction with the government leader, 32% reported being somewhat dissatisfied, 17% said they were somewhat satisfied, and only 1% expressed full satisfaction, the source said.

Dissatisfaction with François Bayrou has grown particularly among business leaders and supporters of the Socialist Party (PS), which recently submitted a motion of no confidence against the government after talks with social partners over the pension reform issue.

Public opinion on the head of state showed a similar pattern: 48% of French respondents surveyed by IFOP expressed complete dissatisfaction with Emmanuel Macron’s policies, 33% said they were somewhat dissatisfied, while 17% were somewhat satisfied, and only 2% expressed strong satisfaction.

Dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron has risen notably among artisans and shopkeepers, as well as business leaders, rural residents, and supporters of the Socialist Party.

Accordingly, Macron currently has the lowest trust rating of his entire presidency. Previously, his popularity had never dropped below 20%.

Even during the Yellow Vest protests, when Macron became the main target of public anger, he still had 23% support.