Emmanuel Macron, a centrist, pro-European reformer with a technocratic polish and a vision to bridge the country’s deep divides, embodied optimism for a rejuvenated France when he swept into the Élysée Palace in 2017.
Macron is confronted with a political landscape that has been significantly altered by disillusionment, economic anxiety, and a significant erosion of public trust as he approaches the conclusion of his second tenure, eight years later. By mid-2025, he had achieved the dubious distinction of being the most despised national leader in Western Europe, a status that has been validated by numerous surveys and is evident in the sentiment of a nation in turmoil.
Macron’s approval ratings have plummeted to historic lows
In January 2025, only 21% of French citizens expressed satisfaction with his leadership, a figure that fell below his ratings during the peak of the “yellow vests” protests in 2019. His approval rating remained at 26% by April, and even the most optimistic surveys in June indicated a slight increase to 29%—still among the lowest for any Western leader.
To provide context, Macron is currently the least popular Western European leader in France, with 74% of the French population holding an unfavorable opinion of him.
Support among younger adults (25–34) has plummeted to a mere 16%, even though approximately one-third of those over 65 continue to hold a favorable perspective.
This generational divide emphasizes a more extensive sense of alienation from a leader who was once regarded as the future of French politics.
What is the reason for Macron’s decline in popularity?
1. Top-Down, Centralized Leadership: The criticism of Macron’s governance style has escalated.
He has centralized power to an unprecedented degree, often making decisions behind closed doors and sidelining dissent, even within his own party. He has been described as solitary and strategic.
Critics refer to this approach as “vertical power,” which has exacerbated the gap between the Parisian elite and ordinary citizens by fostering perceptions of detachment and conceit.
2. Economic and Political Obstacles Economic Difficulties: France is currently dealing with a budget deficit of 5.8% of GDP, a debt-to-GDP ratio of 113%, and youth unemployment, which is approaching 20%, despite Macron’s early reputation as a financial reformer. Growth continues to be subdued, and fiscal credibility is suffering.
Political Paralysis: The center ground that Macron previously occupied has been hollowed out. The electoral map is currently dominated by the far-right National Rally, while Macron’s own party has experienced humiliating setbacks in both the European and legislative elections.
Chaotic Reforms: Macron’s implementation of pension reform through the use of contentious constitutional instruments, including Article 49.3, has been perceived as coercive rather than democratic.
The sudden increase in the retirement age and the management of mass demonstrations have resulted in a significant number of individuals feeling disenfranchised and ignored. 3. Public Backlash and Scandals Macron’s presidency has been characterized by widespread demonstrations and scandals, from the Benalla affair to the mishandling of the “Yellow Vests” movement. His decision to dissolve parliament in 2025, immediately before the Paris Olympics, precipitated a political crisis and further diminished public trust.
Macron’s Position with Other European Leaders
Other European leaders, including the United Kingdom’s Keir Starmer and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, are confronted with their own domestic obstacles; however, none have achieved Macron’s level of domestic unpopularity.
Macron’s level of disapproval in France exceeds that of even Germany’s Olaf Scholz, who faced low ratings. In 2025, Macron is the least popular Western European leader among his own people, according to a YouGov Eurotrack survey.
However, Macron’s approval ratings on the continent are a dramatic contrast to Mette Frederiksen (Denmark), who scored 45 % favorable.
Also unpopular among European politicians
Macron’s relationships with numerous prominent European leaders have been publicly strained, in addition to his unpopularity at home. Their strained interactions at international summits have become viral phenomena, as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has repeatedly demonstrated visible disdain for Macron.
At the 2024 and 2025 G7 Summits, Meloni’s frigid responses to Macron’s remarks and eye rolls were widely perceived as indicators of profound frustration and ideological discord, particularly concerning matters such as abortion rights, Ukraine policy, and the direction of European unity.
The tension is not exclusive to Meloni; Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has also engaged in disputes with Macron regarding EU policy, migration, and the rule of law. Orbán has frequently criticized Macron’s efforts to promote greater European integration and his perceived high-handedness (general knowledge, as specific recent search results on Orbán were not provided).
In recent parliamentary debates and media commentary, members of the British Parliament, particularly those from right-wing parties, have expressed skepticism and irritation toward Macron, particularly concerning his calls for greater EU autonomy and migration negotiations. They have urged the UK government not to yield to what they perceive as Macron’s dictates.
Macron’s assertive, occasionally unilateral approach has resulted in his domestic isolation and his status as a divisive figure among his European peers, as evidenced by these public demonstrations of discord.
The Broader Implications: France and Europe at a Crossroads
The precipitous decline of Macron is not merely a personal narrative; it is indicative of a more extensive crisis for France and for centrist, pro-European politics. The French center ground has been left vacant as a result of the failure to deliver on promises of renewal, which has fueled the rise of radical alternatives and deepened polarization.
France is confronted with an uncertain future as Macron’s presidency ends. The republic he pledged to revitalize appears more paralyzed than ever, and the “reasonable center” he once championed is in retreat. Macron now embodies the archetype of the untouchable Parisian elite for many: he is intelligent, confident, and certain that his approach is the only viable option.
In conclusion,
Emmanuel Macron’s presidency, which was once celebrated as a new beginning for France, now serves as a cautionary tale about the rapid loss of public trust. In 2025, he is the most despised leader in Western Europe by his own citizens, serving as a representation of the perils of governing from a position of authority, economic frustration, and political isolation.
The lessons of Macron’s rise and decline will reverberate far beyond the walls of the Élysée Palace as France and Europe contemplate the future.