Public backs no confidence vote against Barnier government
- A recent survey shows that 53% of the French public supports a no confidence vote against Prime Minister Barnier's government.
- Barnier's approval rating has dropped from 45% to 36% since he took office in September.
- The government's austerity budget has met opposition from both right and left parties, which may lead to its potential downfall.
In France, Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government has faced significant public disapproval just months into its term. A survey conducted by Ipsos for La Tribune Dimanche revealed that 53 percent of respondents would support a no confidence vote aimed at ousting the Barnier administration. Barnier, who took office only at the beginning of September 2024, has seen his personal approval rating plummet from 45 percent to 36 percent during this brief period. Furthermore, President Emmanuel Macron's approval ratings have also dipped to the lowest recorded levels since he assumed office in 2017, with only 22 percent of the public expressing satisfaction with his performance. The government's proposed austerity budget, which aims to implement €60 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts, has faced criticism from both the left and right, complicating Barnier's efforts to govern effectively. As tensions rise, Barnier is scheduled to meet with opposition leaders, including Marine Le Pen of the National Rally, to address budgetary issues amidst potential threats of censure from leftist parties should their demands not be met.