France: Macron and Lecornu Hit New Low in Popularity

Sunday 13 September 2026 - 13:21

The French executive is facing a new turbulence in public opinion. Emmanuel Macron and his Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, are recording their lowest approval ratings since taking office, as the French prioritize purchasing power and the future of social protection.

Macron at His Lowest Since Arriving at the Élysée

Emmanuel Macron's trust rating continues to decline. According to the latest Ipsos BVA-Cesi barometer published by La Tribune Dimanche, only 16% of respondents say they have a favorable opinion of the President of the Republic.

The head of state has thus lost five points since July, reaching his lowest level since the beginning of his presidency.

The decline is not limited to voters from opposition parties. The survey also shows a particularly marked drop among supporters of Renaissance, MoDem, and Horizons. In this electorate, traditionally more favorable to the presidential majority, the proportion of positive opinions falls to 53%, a drop of 19 points.

This evolution reflects a widening discontent beyond just the electorates opposed to the government.

Sébastien Lecornu Also Affected

The Prime Minister is not escaping this negative trend. Just days after celebrating his birthday at Matignon, Sébastien Lecornu receives only 20% favorable opinions, down seven points.

Like Emmanuel Macron, he is experiencing a significant drop among supporters of Renaissance, MoDem, and Horizons. His popularity among this electoral group stands at 64%, which is 14 points lower than in the previous measure.

These figures come in a particularly delicate political context for the executive, faced with strong expectations on economic and social issues.

Purchasing Power Dominates Concerns

Beyond political figures, the barometer highlights the issues that concern the French the most. Purchasing power is far ahead, cited by 54% of respondents.

The future of the social system is the second concern, with 40% of responses. Environmental issues and immigration follow, each mentioned by 31% of respondents.

The issue of debt and public deficits completes this ranking, with 30% of respondents placing it among their main worries.

This hierarchy shows the weight of concerns directly linked to living standards and the sustainability of the social model in the public's view of government action.

An Executive Confronted with Increasingly Critical Public Opinion

The simultaneous decline in popularity of both the President and the Prime Minister is an unfavorable political signal for the executive. It comes at a time when economic and social concerns occupy a central place in the population's expectations.

The barometer was conducted online on September 9 and 10, 2026, among 1,000 adults, constituting a representative sample of the French population according to the quota method. The margin of error is estimated to be between 0.6 and 3.1 points.