PARIS – A new poll has revealed that over 50% of French citizens believe Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government should resign, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with his proposed budget. According to an Ifop-Fiducial poll for Sud Radio published on Nov 28, 53% of respondents are in favor of the government’s fall, with 67% opposed to Barnier’s budget, which seeks to tackle France’s growing public deficit through €60 billion (S$85 billion) in tax hikes and spending cuts.
The poll, based on a survey conducted on Nov 26-27, shows a sharp divide, with just 33% backing the budget measures. The discontent could lead to a no-confidence motion that threatens Barnier’s position, with sources suggesting the government could fall as soon as next week, possibly before Christmas.
In a related Elabe poll for BFM TV, 63% of respondents said that President Emmanuel Macron should resign if Barnier’s government collapses. The backlash underscores the deepening political crisis as the government faces mounting opposition from both the far-right and left-wing factions.