A Slight Rebound for the President
President Emmanuel Macron has seen a marginal improvement in his approval rating amidst the ongoing international crisis stemming from the war involving Israel, the United States, and Iran. According to the latest YouGov poll for Le HuffPost, conducted between March 3 and 5, his unpopularity receded by one point.
The survey shows 17% of respondents hold a favorable opinion of the head of state, moving him away from his record low of 14% recorded last November. This slight shift occurs as Macron has adopted a prominent role as Commander-in-Chief, actively working to assert French interests in the Middle East while avoiding direct entanglement in the conflict.
The “Flag Effect” Remains Limited
Despite high-profile addresses to the nation, the President has not benefited from a substantial “rally ’round the flag” effect typically seen during national crises. His approval remains highest among younger demographics and is strongly upheld by supporters of the central political bloc, at 71%. Opposition parties have largely moderated their criticisms regarding his foreign policy handling, but this has not yet translated into broader public adhesion.
Prime Minister Lecornu’s Significant Gain
In contrast, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu registered a more notable rebound. His approval rating climbed three points to 28%, placing him 11 points ahead of the President. This gain is significant given his lower public profile following the use of constitutional measures to pass the budget and a relatively unnoticed cabinet reshuffle.
The increase was driven by substantial improvements among central bloc supporters (+25 points), as well as gains with Socialist (+12), Les Républicains (+11), and Rassemblement National (+5) voters. Government satisfaction also edged up from 14% to 16%.
Navigating Domestic and International Challenges
The poll suggests the executive branch may be entering a more positive phase, even as the war exposes France to significant economic and energy security risks. The government’s publication of its multi-year energy plan by decree, criticized by opponents, does not appear to have hindered this tentative recovery.
The survey was conducted online with a sample of 1,004 representative French adults aged 18 and over.
