- Title: Macron's popularity at all time low
- Date: 4th September 2018
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (FILE - NOVEMBER 23, 2017) (REUTERS) FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON ON PRESIDENTIAL PALACE DOORSTEP
- Embargoed: 18th September 2018 12:12
- Keywords: Macron popularity polls France
- Location: PARIS AND RODEZ, FRANCE / BONN, GERMANY
- City: PARIS AND RODEZ, FRANCE / BONN, GERMANY
- Country: France
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0018W7P9ON
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: French President Emmanuel Macron faced his lowest popularity rate according to a poll published on Tuesday (September 4).
An IFOP-Fiducial opinion poll on Tuesday showed just 31 percent of respondents were happy with his performance as support eroded across all ages on both the political left and right.
That is lower than his predecessor Francois Hollande at the same stage in the socialist's presidency. Hollande went on to become so unpopular he was the first president in France's Fifth Republic not to run for re-election.
Macron hopes to draw a line under a raft of troubles plaguing his 16-month-old presidency and to re-energize his economic reform drive with a cabinet reshuffle which replaced two popular ministers who recently resigned.
Macron was forced into the move by the surprise exit of his former ecology minister, Nicolas Hulot, who said he despaired at what he felt were hollow commitments on environmental policy.
Resigning live on air last week, Hulot's resignation was a setback for the 40-year-old French leader, who returned from the summer break reeling from a bodyguard scandal and preparing to embark on a new wave of economic reforms.
Hours before the announcement, Sports Minister Laura Flessel said she was resigning from the government for personal reasons.
For much of Macron's first year in power, the former investment banker appeared untouchable, self-assured and unfazed by his falling popularity as he pushed through investor-friendly reforms with a business-like efficiency.
Recently, however, Macron has looked more vulnerable.
Economic growth is slower than forecast, undermining his deficit-busting credentials. Usually decisive, he is wavering on an impending tax collection reform. Meanwhile, voters are growing impatient with his monarchical style and sharp tongue. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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