Macron’s 2026 New Year's Address: Ambitions Amid Political Headwinds and Public Skepticism

On December 31, 2025, President Emmanuel Macron delivered his New Year's address, setting a tone of cautious optimism and political resolve for 2026 despite significant challenges. Macron reaffirmed his commitment to tackling multiple domestic issues, including legislative work on children's protection against social media harm, simplifying entrepreneurship regulations, supporting agriculture, battling drug trafficking, ensuring election security from foreign interference, and advancing end-of-life legislation. He also emphasized France’s role in European unity and responding to global geopolitical tensions such as the war in Ukraine.

Macron portrayed a resilient France, highlighting economic growth surpassing expectations, an unemployment rate below 8%, and recent Nobel accolades. Yet, his speech lasted less than ten minutes and was met with skepticism from opposition figures and even some within his own political circle. Criticism was directed at his perceived overreliance on symbolic gestures and the absence of concrete new policies.

The president faces a fragmented National Assembly and political fragmentation, which have stalled key reforms and fueled discontent, including disappointment expressed by former ministers about the government’s trajectory. Macron’s political legitimacy is questioned, particularly as earlier proposed referenda on major issues remain unrealized. His first New Year’s promise in 2017, addressing homelessness, remains unmet as around 350,000 people in France still lack housing.

Reactions from across the political spectrum ranged from LFI’s Éric Coquerel dismissing the address as ineffective repetition to Socialist deputy Arthur Delaporte questioning the speech’s substantive impact. National Rally politician Aleksandar Nikolic criticized the lack of concrete proposals. Former advisor Henri Guaino and LFI’s Raquel Garrido also voiced skepticism regarding the president’s political direction and the symbolic nature of some intentions, such as a proposed tribute to Brigitte Bardot.

Despite the criticism and declining popularity, Macron underscored France’s ongoing challenges and the necessity of collective national effort, stating, “Thanks to you, our country holds.” He openly admitted the difficulties facing the nation but asserted his intent to remain a central, stabilizing figure in French politics heading into 2026.