Nearly nine in 10 French voters believe the recently formed government will collapse this year, but a majority say they want President Emmanuel Macron to resign.
Less than a month after being deployed to the Hôtel Matignon, French citizens are already predicting the fall of François Bayrou's government. According to Odoxa's backbone public opinion poll for le figaro86% think President Macron needs to appoint a new prime minister this year.
Bayrou, a long-time neoliberal ally of President Macron, was forced into the National Assembly after Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) aligned with the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) on a no-policy platform. He was selected to replace Michel Barnier in December after the latter's government collapsed. This is the first time in more than 60 years that a prime minister has been removed by the French parliament.
Bayrou's government could face a similar outcome if it fails to reach a compromise in a parliament that is deeply divided, especially on key issues such as the budget.
Former Prime Minister Barnier demanded 40 billion euros in tax increases and benefits cuts as France faces possible downgrades from credit agencies and sanctions from the European Union due to soaring debts and deficits. Le Pen's opponents argued that tax increases would stunt growth and worsen the problem.
Due to President Macron's decision to dissolve parliamentary elections in the summer and a last-minute electoral deal with the far left to prevent Le Pen's party from seizing power in parliament, parliament is currently split into three parties. , finding a majority to pass any legislation is increasingly unlikely.
Under the French constitution, Macron is legally barred from calling new elections until July. Currently, support of 50 percent of the population effectively holds the government in power until new elections are held.
But even more people (61%) support Macron's resignation, an increase of 7% since September, which could trigger a presidential election. President Macron has vowed to remain at the Elysée Palace until the end of his term in 2027.
To ease some of the political pressure, Mr Macron suggested in his New Year's address that he was open to putting some issues directly before the people in a referendum. Le Pen has not said which issues may be on the ballot, but has long advocated for a referendum on immigration.
However, there was deep skepticism about whether the government would respect the referendum result, with only 28% of people saying they trusted Mr Macron to carry out the will of the people.
