Macron Faces Political Crisis as Approval Ratings Plummet Amid Unrest

French President Emmanuel Macron is grappling with a significant political crisis as his approval ratings have plummeted to 15%, the lowest since he took office in 2017, coinciding with the worst riots in years.

According to the Financial Times on October 18, this situation starkly reveals the political vulnerabilities of Macron's government, which has reached its limits.

Since taking office, Macron has pursued aggressive structural reforms, including labor market flexibility and pension system changes, which have sparked intense social backlash. Notably, raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 has triggered widespread resistance and served as a catalyst for long-standing social grievances.

Moreover, Macron's political foundation has been significantly shaken. Following the early parliamentary elections in 2024, his ruling coalition failed to secure a majority, leaving him to lead a minority government that faces fierce political conflicts and obstacles in passing budgets and key legislation.

The government is also caught in a dilemma between fiscal responsibility and public demands. France's national debt exceeds 110% of its GDP, far above the European Union's recommended limit of 60%. While the government needs to curb spending to reduce the deficit, citizens are demanding increased public services in education and welfare amid rising living costs.

Enforcing structural reforms could provoke explosive social backlash, while delaying them risks financial collapse and stagnant growth. Bruno Cottereau, a political scientist at Sciences Po, noted, "The chaotic scenes give the impression that the state can no longer control the country."

With the situation deteriorating, the government's momentum has already hit rock bottom.

In a pre-riot Ipsos poll, Macron's approval rating fell to 15%, while Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne's stood at just 22%.

Amid this worsening public sentiment, protests demanding improvements in educational conditions and against high prices erupted in 1,750 locations across France on October 17. Authorities estimated around 100,000 participants, but actual attendance reached 550,000, according to organizers, who claimed 800,000.

As the presidential election approaches in six months, political tensions are escalating.

Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally, leading in polls, criticized the government’s incompetence, stating, "Our country is trapped between violence and helplessness," while promising to restore order and gain political advantage. In contrast, Prime Minister Borne countered that blaming the police leadership for the violence is unjust.