Media: Macron’s rating collapsed after the riots on October 17

The ratings of French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu fell markedly against the background of unrest in France: riots and looting that broke out on October 17 because of protests against rising prices, seriously undermined the confidence of citizens. The survey data, which CSA conducted for the publication Le Journal du Dimanche, show alarming dynamics.

According to TASS, among thousands of French adults surveyed, the share of those who positively assess the work of the president fell by 7 percentage points over the month and fell to 17%. At the same time, the level of discontent reached a record 83% - this is the highest since the beginning of the year. Macron’s position weakened the most in two groups: among young people aged 18-24, the rating fell immediately by 23 percentage points, which is associated with dissatisfaction with the policy in the field of education, as well as significantly reduced confidence from retail workers and artisans (minus 22 percentage points) – this was affected by the damage caused to many enterprises during the pogroms.

The situation is complicated by domestic political criticism: even in the ranks of his own party “Renaissance” growing irritation with the actions of Macron. The president is accused of failing to foresee developments and of inefficiently organizing the work of the security forces. His televised address to the nation after the riots is especially sharply assessed: according to a number of party officials, there was nothing meaningful in it. One of the party’s ministers said that with this speech Macron “threw the last shovel of earth on the coffin of his presidential term” and led the government to the abyss. Critical voices are also heard in the inner circle of Renaissance candidate Gabriel Attal. According to the newspaper, even in the Elysee Palace there are employees seriously considering resignation after Sunday’s address of the President.

Against the backdrop of another acute crisis in political circles, talk about the possibility of early elections is re-emerging – although openly discussing Macron’s resignation is still considered a kind of taboo. At the same time, the president himself has repeatedly stressed that he intends to perform the duties of the head of state until the expiration of his term of office.

Isolators in major French cities overflow with protesters