Emmanuel Macron approval rating PLUNGES after just 100 days in office
The En Marche! leader beat anti-establishment candidate Marine Le Pen in May to be elected France's youngest ever president. But his approval rating has tumbled since his resounding victory, according to a survey carried out by French pollsters Ifop. Mr Macron is more unpopular than his predecessor Francois Hollande was at a similar stage of his presidency.
Just 36 per cent of French voters approve of Mr Macron, according to the Ifop survey, carried out for newspaper Le Figaro. Five years ago, 46 per cent said they approved of Mr Hollande as he approached the same landmark in his presidency. Adding the centrist's woes, just 45 per cent of voters said they believe Emmanuel Macron was sticking to his election promises. In contrast, 57 per cent said the same of Mr Hollande 100 days into his term in 2012.
GETTY French president Emmanuel Macron's popularity has plunged since May
Emmanuel Macron's inauguration as French president, in pictures Sun, May 14, 2017 Emmanuel Macron is elected president of France, defeating Marine Le Pen, who threatened to take France out of the European Union. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 32 French President Emmanuel Macron poses with his wife Brigitte Trogneux at the Elysee presidential Palace
The perception of a five-year term forms after the first summer Jerome Fourquet
Jerome Fourquet, director of Ifop, said voters have turned on the new president after a series of unpopular policy announcements. Mr Macron has vowed to slash housing allowance, increase social-security contributions and raise taxes on cigarettes. Mr Fourquet said: "Overall, scepticism is prevailing. The perception of a five-year term forms after the first summer."
GETTY Just 36 per cent of voters approve of Macron, according to pollsters Ifop
Figures published last week showed the centrist spent more than any other presidential campaign on his campaign. The 39-year-old splurged €16.8m (£15.7m) on his campaign, with most of the money going to rallies and campaign leaflets. In contrast, Ms Le Pen, the then leader of the Front National, spent €12.5m (£11.3m) on her unsuccessful bid to become president.
GETTY And only 45 per cent believe Macron is sticking to his election promises