Macron’s approval jumps in poll as French worry about Ukraine
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Mr Macron’s improved standing comes as he has put himself at the centre of a European effort to bolster its defence spending.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
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PARIS – Mr Emmanuel Macron’s approval rating rose to the highest level since June as the French president pushes for a European effort to back Ukraine, according to a poll by Ifop for Ouest-France.
His popularity rose to 31 per cent in March, up seven points from the previous month and nearly at the level just before 2024’s snap parliamentary election, the survey published on March 7 showed.
In contrast, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou’s approval fell by five points to 34 per cent.
Mr Macron’s improved standing comes as he has put himself at the centre of a European effort to bolster its defence spending and provide support for Ukraine in the face of a US pullout.
The French leader has proposed to open talks about using the country’s nuclear weapons capabilities
The poll also found that 53 per cent of respondents are worried about international affairs linked to Ukraine, with 84 per cent saying peace can’t be negotiated without participation by the war-torn country.
Satisfaction with Mr Macron among elderly, retired and white collar voters, typically among his strongest backers, rose by double-digit points, according to the Ifop poll of 1,500 adults.
His popularity suffered after he called snap elections last summer that delivered a deeply divided National Assembly.
One government has already fallen, while Mr Bayrou’s administration is also weak.
The Ifop survey was carried out online and by phone on March 6 - 7, with a margin of error of 1.1 points to 2.5 points. BLOOMBERG
