Macron Sees Rise in Popularity Amid International Concerns
New Ipsos poll indicates Emmanuel Macron's approval rating increases to 27%, while François Bayrou's declines to 25%
According to a recent Ipsos poll conducted for La Tribune Dimanche, French President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating has risen by 5 percentage points, reaching 27%.
This increase places Macron ahead of Prime Minister François Bayrou, whose approval has dropped by 2 points to 25%.
This marks a notable improvement for Macron, who had previously seen his rating approach a low point of 21% in January, reminiscent of the public sentiment during the 'gilets jaunes' crisis in late 2018.
The increase in Macron's popularity comes in the context of rising international tensions, which appear to have resonated with the French public.
Macron's approval has notably surged among segments of the electorate, seeing a gain of 9 points among environmentally conscious voters, 8 points among supporters of the Socialist Party, and 6 points from both the Republicans (LR) and the UDI.
The Ipsos survey highlights that a significant concern among the French population is the rise of 'international crises,' with reported worries increasing by 16 points to 33%, making it the third most pressing issue for citizens.
This concern ranks after issues of purchasing power, which remains the top issue at 46%, and the future of the social system, which stands at 37% with a modest increase of 2 points.
In contrast to Macron's rising approval, Prime Minister François Bayrou has experienced a generalized decline in support.
Following a 7-point gain in February, he has now lost significant ground among various political demographics.
His approval has decreased by 9 points among leftist voters, 10 points among those on the right, 3 points among supporters of the National Rally, and 5 points among centrist voters.
However, Bayrou did see a 5-point increase among ecologists and socialists.
In terms of government officials, Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin reported a 1-point increase, now standing at 36%, making him the most well-regarded member of the government.
He narrowly surpasses Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau, who has a 35% approval rating following a decrease of 1 point.
Additionally, Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu has seen a significant rise, gaining 5 points to reach a 17% approval rating, securing the third position among government officials.