Macron's popularity falls further in September: Poll

Only 29 percent of those surveyed in September said they were satisfied with Macron, down from 34 percent last month and 39 percent two months ago, according to the Ifop poll for Le Journal du Dimanche.

His popularity is low in most polls. The former investment banker won the 2017 election with 66.1 percent of the vote on a reformist project to modernise the euro zone’s second largest power. But many voters ranging from conservative pensioners to low-income workers complain that Macron’s policies mostly benefit companies and the rich.

The president was criticised last week for telling an unemployed man he could easily get a job if he tried.

Environment Minister Francois de Rugy told BFM-TV:”I take these polls as a spur. They remind us that we must act.

“Each time you want change, some people will oppose it. So you have two solutions - either you stop in hopes of being popular again or continue while listening to the French people.”

Macron was damaged earlier this month by the surprise resignation of his environment minister, Nicolas Hulot, a popular former activist and TV presenter. And on Sept. 18 interior minister Gerard Collomb, one of Macron’s closest allies, said he would run for election as mayor of Lyon in 2020.

The Ifop poll was conducted on September 14-22 with a sample of 1,964 people.