French voters will use the European Parliament elections in June to express their dissatisfaction with French President Emmanuel Macron, research has found
According to a survey by the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP), 37 per cent of respondents expressed their intention to cast their EP votes primarily as a means of indicating opposition to Macron’s politics; with only 12 per cent wanting to show support for them.
58 per cent of respondents also said that their voting decisions would be influenced more by national issues rather than wider European Union ones.
This prevailing emphasis on domestic concerns comes amid growing French dissatisfaction with Brussels, with 54 per cent of respondents indicating that political decisions in the bloc negatively impacted their daily lives.
Only those aligning with Macron’s Renaissance party represented an exception in holding a favourable view of the EU.
Euroscepticism is particularly pronounced among voters of French hard-right parties, with 79 per cent of National Rally supporters and 90 per cent of Reconquête expressing such.
With just over 80 days until the European Parliament elections, an Ipsos poll shows big gains for Conservatives and nationalists, while Greens are set to lose out badly. https://t.co/lS2aQgM6t8
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) March 21, 2024
The dissatisfaction with the EU and growing resentment toward Macron’s governance have proven advantageous for the French hard-right party Rassemblement National (RN), currently polling at 32 per cent.
In the lead-up to the EP elections, Macron has taken a proactive stance against RN, dedicating a significant portion of his campaign efforts to attack the party’s credibility.
He in particular highlighted the party’s flip-flopping on several issues, including France’s place in the EU.
“Seven years ago, they wanted to leave Europe and the Euro. Two years ago, they weren’t sure,” he told French media.
He also accused RN “of peddling demagogy to the public”.
Macron has also been working to bolster support for his lead EP election candidate, Valerie Hayer, who has so far failed to pose a significant challenge to her RN rival, Jordan Bardella.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to outline his vision for Europe as a global power on Thursday in a major speech. https://t.co/v5RDOPw79S
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) April 25, 2024
