French Political Figures' Popularity Surges Amid Criticism of Orban's Natalist Policies

A recent IFOP-FIDUCIAL poll highlights shifting public opinion of key French political figures as 2026 begins. Jean-Louis Borloo tops the rankings with a favorable opinion of 47%, despite his relatively low media visibility. Close behind is Sébastien Lecornu, who jumped from 13th to second place with 46%, credited to his accessible and methodical communication. Notably, Brigitte Macron emerges at seventh with 42% favorable opinion, outperforming her husband Emmanuel Macron, who lingers at the bottom with only 24%. This marks a rare moment where a First Lady enjoys higher public favor than the sitting president.

Meanwhile, Andrea Peto, a historian from the Central European University, sharply criticizes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's natalist policies. In her new book, Peto argues these policies have rolled back women's reproductive rights and economic autonomy, undermining gender equality and democracy in Hungary. Since 2011, Hungary’s Constitution emphasizes traditional marriage and fetal rights, contributing to increased restrictions in access to contraception, abortion, and fertility treatments. A 2022 decree forces women seeking abortions to listen to fetal heartbeats first, further complicating access.

The contrasting landscape highlights different political climates in Europe: while French leaders grapple with fluctuating popularity, Orban’s government enforces controversial policies with societal implications. The poll and academic critique together illustrate the broader tensions between political image and policy impact within European democracies.