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PARIS (Reuters) – Emmanuel Macron's popularity has been gaining popularity in recent weeks, according to a poll on Sunday, as fuel tax protests erupted across France, a sign of discontent with President's economic reforms.
A man wearing a yellow vest, symbol of the protest of French drivers against the rise in the price of gasoline, attends the demonstration with an image of French President Emmanuel Macron, in Paris (France), November 17, 2018. REUTERS / Charles Platiau
Only 25% of people polled in an Ifop survey between November 9th and 17th said they were satisfied with Macron, compared with 29% in October, according to a survey of nearly 2,000 people published in the Journal du Dimanche (JDD ).
Macron, which came to power 18 months ago, promising to reshape the economy and revamp its institutions, has been striving to reduce the ratings that collapsed to carry out a series of reforms, including a relaxation of the hiring and firing laws.
His government introduced petrol tax increases to encourage motorists to adopt cleaner cars, particularly affecting rural voters, with the additional cost beginning to be felt in October when the world price of petrol became cheaper. oil climbed.
Angry motorists and other protesters, many accusing Macron of not being in contact with ordinary people, blocked Saturday roads across France as part of a popular campaign called the "Yellow Vests" that drew nearly 288,000 protesters.
Some still held roadblocks on Sunday on highways, tolls and roundabouts.
Saturday's protests provoked clashes with frustrated drivers trying to bypass the stops and more than 400 people were injured, including 14 seriously, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said.
A protester died after being accidentally hit by a panicked driver during a blockade. At least 157 people were taken into custody.
In a separate Ifop survey in the JDD on Sunday, 62 percent of respondents said the government should prioritize policies to help household incomes, even if it meant moving more slowly in a climate-friendly energy transition plan. l & # 39; environment.
Environment Minister François de Rugy said the government, which aimed to reassure motorists with subsidies for the poor, would not back down on its fuel tax plans. These are planned for another hike in January, especially on diesel, the most used fuel in France.
"I would prefer to announce tax cuts, but we need levers to fight climate change," he told Europe 1 radio and CNews television on Sunday.
Macron's popularity has dropped to 21% in other polls recently, after a scorching summer marked by a scandal over the violent conduct of the former president's security advisor and the departure of several ministers.
Report by Sarah White and Sophie Louet; Edited by Dale Hudson
