Paris: A little over a year ago, Emmanuel Macron was sitting pretty in the polls, a 39-year-old President in a hurry, with ambitious plans and the hopes of a nation riding on his shoulders.
In recent months his popularity has crumbled, even falling below his luckless predecessor Francois Hollande at the same point in his presidency. Last week, Macron’s approval rating was just 29 per cent, down from a high of 66.
As if to hammer home the shift in sentiment, consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level in more than two years. The same measure had soared in the wake of Macron’s May 2017 election victory.
The reasons for the volte-face are multiple and overlapping: voters on the centre-left, many of whom took a chance on Macron, say his policies, particularly cutting a wealth tax, favour the rich. They often describe his manner as arrogant.
A scandal involving an Elysee Palace security official, caught on camera beating up May Day protesters, has tarnished the president. It raised questions about how the young official, Alexandre Benalla, was promoted so quickly, while the Elysee’s foot-dragging in response prompted suggestions of a cover-up.
In quick succession two ministers resigned, the popular environment minister over delays in reducing nuclear dependence, and the sports minister, for personal reasons. A third, interior minister Gerard Collomb, a close Macron ally, will step down next year to run again as mayor of his home city Lyon.
It is Collomb’s departure that has perhaps thrust the knife in deepest. Before he announced his plans, he spoke of how the Macron team “lacked humility”, and lamented several mistakes, in particular the handling of the Benalla affair.
So what does the dramatic slump in popularity mean for Macron and his ability to lead, at home and in Europe? Close advisers are quick to say it means nothing. They acknowledge missteps, such as the Elysee’s decision to release a video of Macron complaining about how much money was being spent on social benefits with little impact.
But they say he was elected on the promise of fundamental economic and social reforms and is determined to carry them out over the course of his five-year term, no matter what.
“The French people recognise two essential things: that the president sticks to his promises … and that, while the pace of reform is extremely rapid, the impact is not yet visible on the ground and will take time to emerge,” said a senior Elysee official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Reuters