French politicians’ favorability ratings ... Far-right National Rally (RN) leader Bardella and lawmaker Le Pen rank first and second

[Financial News] Far-right figures are also becoming increasingly popular in France. 
A poll conducted by Ipsos BVA-Cesi for La Tribune Dimanche, the results of which were released on the 11th (local time), found that favorability ratings for key figures on the far right are rising, while positive ratings for leading left-wing and centrist figures are falling.  
With the presidential election set for next April or May, far-right National Rally (RN) leader Jordan Bardella and lawmaker Marine Le Pen ranked first and second in a poll of politicians’ favorability, with 33% and 32%, respectively. Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe came third, with 20%.
Sarah Knafo of Reconquête!, the nationalist party of Éric Zemmour, who is dubbed the ‘French Trump,’ and former president François Hollande of the Socialist Party tied for fourth place with 18% each. Neither has announced a bid for office yet.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the radical-left party La France Insoumise (LFI), former centrist Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, and Republicans (LR) leader Bruno Retailleau tied at 17% each.
Mélenchon, however, had a particularly high unfavorable rating. Some 69% of respondents said they would be dissatisfied if he entered the Élysée Palace.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s approval rating for his performance in office has fallen to its lowest level since he took office in 2017. The overlapping challenges of protests by middle and high school students, a fuel crisis, and budget deliberations disrupted in a National Assembly where no party holds a majority are seen as directly reflected in the poll results, amid growing public disaffection.
According to a poll conducted by Ipsos BVA-Cesi for La Tribune Dimanche, the results of which were released on the 11th (local time), Macron’s positive rating fell 1 percentage point from the previous month to 15%, its lowest level since he entered the Élysée Palace in 2017. By contrast, 82% gave a negative assessment of his performance in office. Macron’s second term ends in seven months.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s approval rating rose 2 percentage points from the previous month to 22%, holding up relatively better than Macron’s.
The biggest concern cited by the French public was ‘purchasing power’ (54%). Next came the future of the social security system (44%, up 4 percentage points) and the level of national debt (33%, up 3 percentage points).
The poll was conducted online on the 7th and 8th among 1,000 adults in France.

[email protected] Lee Seok-woo, International Affairs Correspondent Reporter