BFMTV SURVEY. 63% of French people are in favor of Macron’s resignation in case of government censure

While Michel Barnier’s government risks being censured, Emmanuel Macron would be held responsible by the French for a possible fall of the government.

According to a new “Opinion Live” survey carried out by the Elabe institute for BFMTV and published this Wednesday, November 27, in the event of the resignation of Michel Barnier’s government caused by a motion of censure, 63% of French people would be in favor of the resignation of Emmanuel Macron as President of the Republic, which would cause a new presidential election.

This desire is widely shared by the voters of RN (83%) and the left-wing parties that make up the New Popular Front (76%), but also by a part of the voters of Les Républicains (48%) and even the 27 % of those from Together for the Republic.

French divided over censure motion vote

For several weeks now, the left and the extreme right have been threatening the Government with a motion of censure if 49.3 is used in the budget texts currently being debated in Parliament. This article of the Constitution allows the adoption of a text without a vote, unless there is a motion of censure that leads to the fall of the government. However, Michel Barnier’s government does not have a majority in the Assembly and the opposition is protesting strongly against the draft budget presented for 2025.

According to our Elabe survey, the French are divided over voting on a motion of no confidence. 52% of those surveyed are in favor and 48% against. A clear majority of NFP (75%) and RN (64%) voters would support this choice, while Ensemble (85%) and LR (78%) voters are largely opposed.

If such a motion were passed, many would consider it caused by Emmanuel Macron. 53% of those surveyed by Elabe believe that Emmanuel Macron, in particular for his decision to dissolve the National Assembly, is responsible for the current political situation. 19% point out that Michel Barnier’s government has not yet managed to find a compromise that would allow a majority of deputies to approve the budget. 15% point to the opposition presented by the New Popular Front to the budget as responsible and 12% point to RN for the same reason.

The RN threatens to vote for censure

Ignoring Michel Barnier’s warning on Tuesday about “the storm” that would cause a fall of the Government, the National Rally raises more than ever the threat of a censure, perhaps as early as next week, on the Social Security budget , probably the subject of a compromise between deputies and senators on Wednesday.

How can Barnier convince the National Rally not to censor him?

3:09

“The French expect clear and firm commitments on abandoning the 3 billion electricity price increases (flagship provision of the 2025 budget, which authorizes the government to increase taxes on electricity, Editor’s note), the abandonment of the exclusion of new medicines and the deindexation of pensions (…) and the Prime Minister does not follow the path,” Marine Le Pen reacted in X the day after the head of Government’s intervention on TF1.

The French in favor of a technical government

Without waiting for the final reading of the state budget in mid-December, a motion of censure could be presented next week in case the 49.3 on the Social Security budget is used. Lacking a majority in the Assembly, the Government could activate this 49.3 on Monday, if the deputies and senators reach a compromise on Wednesday in the joint committee of the party (CMP), where the government coalition has a narrow majority (eight votes against six).

If the RN votes in favor of a motion of censure presented by the left and overthrows the government, the French are rather in favor of the formation of a “technical” government, which would be made up of experts who do not come from any political party. (69%). This scenario is more popular than that of a coalition between certain left-wing parties (without La France insoumise) and the presidential camp (44% of French people in favor). The hypothesis of a coalition between some left-wing parties (without Francia Insumisa), the presidential field and Los Republicanos also obtains 44% favorable opinions.