Macron posts worst approval rating since 'yellow vest' protests

MADRID, 19 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Popular approval of the work of French President Emmanuel Macron has fallen to lows not seen since the "yellow vest" marches at the beginning of 2019 due to the rejection generated by his pension reform plan, translated into numerous demonstrations in several cities of the country, led by Paris, which have resulted in hundreds of arrests.

An Ifop poll for 'Le Journal du Dimanche' points out that only 28 percent of the French approve of Macron's policy, four points less than last month. The country's prime minister, Elisabeth Borne, another of the faces of the pension reform, maintains her approval at the lows of last month, with only 29 percent.

Borne is playing the position in the motion of censure that will take place on Monday in Parliament. If successful, the reform will be annulled and Borne will have to leave office.

The survey also reflects that Macron's popularity has continued to plummet since the end of last year, down eight points since December, according to this Sunday's poll.

"This is a very bad sequence for the executive couple," says the general director of Ifop, Frédéric Dabi, who emphasizes that Macron's approval, with these results, has fallen below a psychological barrier represented in the 30 percent approval.