France - Emmanuel Macron's popularity slump after En Marche party duped supporters
The damning verdict will come as a blow to the French President whose reputation has been left battered after poll results revealed his popularity has plunged after just 100 days in office. President Emmanuel Macron promised to reform labour laws in the lead up to his election victory as he planned to kick start the revitalisation of the French economy. But members of the En Marche! party say it was a “giant swindle” and claimed people were even paid to take part in rallies supporting President Macron. Tiphaine Beaulieu, a French teacher who joined the party earlier this year, said: “In the eyes of activists and elected officials who support them, En Marche is starting to look like a masquerade, a giant swindle based on praiseworthy values that only serve marketing purposes.”
GETTY Macron has seen his popularity ratings plummet
GETTY Macron sparked controversy when he hosted Donald Trump
En Marche is starting to look like a masquerade, a giant swindle based on praiseworthy values that only serve marketing purposes Tiphaine Beaulieu, En Marche party member
She told politics news site Politico.co.uk supporters were duped by a “startup culture”. The French president's honeymoon is over as his centrist leaning administration attempts to steer through a series of unfortunate gaffes and stumbling blocks that have damaged his reputation and called his credibility into question. It is believed policy mistakes and communications blunders will be placed under review as he seeks to regain his popularity in France. Warning of tough times ahead for the 39-year-old president, Ms Beaulieu added: “A lot of local elected officials are not going to want to work with En Marche for the senatorial and municipal elections.”
France's First Lady Brigitte Trogneux Thu, July 27, 2017 Brigitte Trogneux: A high school teacher and the wife of the French politician Emmanuel Macron. Play slideshow Getty 1 of 44 Rihanna poses with Brigitte Macron outside the Elysee Palace wearing French designer Dior
GETTY Macron swept to victory in the French presidential elections
Ahead of his stunning election victory, Ms Beaulieu claimed Macron’s movement abandoned democratic processes for nominating candidates, disbanded internal committees without warning and blacklisted rebellion members by deactivating their accounts. An official for President Macron strongly denied the claims, saying: “We’re not sure what’s really motivating her here.” A spokesman defended En Marche! movement, adding: “After a campaign, there is always a period of reckoning. “People invest a lot of time; there is as much joy as there is disappointment. “We’re a young movement that’s still in the process of maturing, and today we need to have structures that recognise the reality of what we’ve become.” In May, Centrist Mr Macron at the age of 39 became the youngest president in the history of France and came to power on a promise of political renewal.
GETTY Supporters claim En Marche paid people to attend Macron rallies