Emmanuel Macron, the French president, is notably absent from his party’s electoral posters in advance of the upcoming legislative elections. This is a significant development, given that Macron’s unpopularity has reached 74% according to a recent survey. This represents a dramatic decline since he dissolved the lower house and sank to his lowest point since taking office. Despite this, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal suggests that Macron’s absence from campaign materials will not be a hindrance because voters are seeking a new government, not a new president.
In Paris, campaign posters for Clément Beaune, a former Minister of Transport and Secretary of State for the EU, do not feature any images or mention of Macron in his bid for a parliamentary seat. Criticism of Macron within his own party has become more prevalent, with some key figures distancing themselves from the once untouchable leader. Edouard Philippe, considered a potential leader of the French political center post-Macron era, has openly criticized the president for his handling of the legislative elections.
According to Émeric Bréhier from the Jean Jaurès Foundation, Macron’s absence from the campaign suggests a significant loss of popularity among voters. The Macronist party seems to be relying more on the image of Gabriel Attal, who is seen as less controversial. While Macron has won past campaigns, his influence has steadily declined in recent years according to University of Paris-Panthéon professor Benjamin Morel. This is evident in the lackluster results of recent elections despite the president’s involvement in the campaign.
With the extreme right and left alliance framing the election as a referendum on Macron’s presidency, his party is attempting to redirect focus to the choice of prime minister instead. Attal asserts that Macron will remain president regardless of the outcome of the legislative elections, emphasizing
