On the eve of the summer period, Ifop for Sud Radio polled the French on their perception of François Bayrou and their wish to dissolve or censure his government.
First of all, after several months at Matignon, we note that François Bayrou’s image traits are eroding: in December 2024, 49% of French people found him “likeable”, compared with just 37% today, a drop of 12 points. The perception of his competence follows the same trend, dropping from 44% to 27% (-17 points). Finally, around a quarter of French people feel he inspires confidence (24%) and is sincere (26%).
François Bayrou’s image is particularly poor among supporters of Marine Le Pen (only 9% think he is close to the concerns of the French) and the Ecologists (16%), while it remains better among those close to Renaissance (52% think he is close to the concerns of the French and 53% think he is competent).
It should also be noted that he also ranks below other Prime Ministers: Michel Barnier (62% considered him competent and 61% open to dialogue when he arrived) and even more Gabriel Attal (up to 70% considered him likeable at the start of 2024).
Half of French people (50%) say they are in favor of dissolving the National Assembly and holding new elections, compared with 41% a month earlier (62% among 18-24 year-olds).
A majority of French people also expressed their support for a motion of censure: 56% of French people would like to see the Bayrou government overthrown via a motion of censure, a figure up sharply (+13 points) on last January. Support for a motion of censure varies according to political proximity: it is massive among France insoumise (87%) and Rassemblement national (67%) supporters, while it is lower among Renaissance (18%) or Républicains (35%) supporters.
Concerning the prognosis of a forthcoming dissolution of the National Assembly, 34% of French people believe that Emmanuel Macron will take this decision in the coming months, a score slightly up on June (30%).
