Political Trust Ratings Decline in France: Macron and Prime Minister's Popularity Hits Record Lows

In August 2025, a political observatory report indicates a significant decline in public trust in French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne. Macron's trust rating stands at a low 21%, with a startling 73% of respondents expressing distrust, including 49% stating they have 'no trust at all.' This marks a decrease of six points since March 2025, echoing sentiments not seen since the yellow vest crisis in late 2018. Trust among the president’s first and second-round voters has also dipped considerably, indicating growing discontent across the electorate.

Prime Minister Borne faces a particularly difficult scenario, with her trust rating plummeting to a historic low of just 12%. Notably, 80% of the public expresses distrust in her leadership, with 56% completely lacking trust. Even among Macron voters, confidence in Borne is low, at only 30%. Her ratings are somewhat better among young professionals, who show a slight increase of 22% trust, yet overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly negative.

Contrasting this decline in trust for the current leadership, the political landscape is witnessing a rise in approval ratings for right-wing figures. Jordan Bardella has emerged as the most popular political figure, commanding a 39% approval rating. Following closely is Marine Le Pen with 35%, and Édouard Philippe also enjoys significant support at 37%. This trend suggests a strengthening influence of the far-right within French politics, as seen in Bardella's appeal to voters aligned with Le Pen and Éric Zemmour.

Additionally, former president François Hollande has made notable gains, increasing his popularity among leftist voters to 28%, surpassing other figures on the left. Hollande’s resurgence showcases a potential shift in left-wing dynamics amid declining trust in current leadership.