French President Emmanuel Macron faces a significant setback as his Renaissance (Renew) party plunges to its lowest point yet in election polls, just days before the European Union vote.
According to the latest Elabe poll released on Saturday, Macron’s party secures only 15.5 percent of the vote, marking a substantial decline since the start of the European election campaign.
This drop places Renaissance behind the socialist Parti Socialiste-Place Publique (S&D) list, led by French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann, which garners 13 percent of the vote.
The far-right Rassemblement National (RN) list, led by French MEP Jordan Bardella, maintains its stability at 32 percent, further complicating Macron’s position. The polls also reveal concerning figures regarding Macron’s support base.
Only 54 percent of voters who backed Macron in the 2022 presidential elections are inclined to vote for Renaissance. However, there’s a notable increase in the number of voters committed to the presidential list, rising by eight points in just two weeks to reach 77 percent.
Despite the setback in the polls, Macron’s personal popularity saw an unexpected resurgence, climbing to 32 percent – a level not witnessed since February 2023 – in the latest Ipsos poll.
This seeming paradox underscores the complex landscape of French politics and public opinion.
Adding to Macron’s challenges, the poll suggests that in terms of aspirations for the presidency in 2027, he falls behind figures like his former prime minister Edouard Philippe, Bardella, and Le Pen.