On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron’s allies said they might distance themselves from him ahead of snap elections due to his waning popularity, according to Bloomberg. Sources who attended an emergency meeting at the Elysee Palace said that there were “no polls or data” suggesting that candidates should align themselves with Macron to retain their seats in parliamentary elections scheduled for June 16 and July 7.
The heads of communication at the Elysee Palace have admitted that they have no evidence supporting this strategy, Bloomberg reported. The sources claimed that the president’s behavior has become increasingly erratic, and dozens of lawmakers who initially supported him now want him to keep a low profile during the election campaign.
Bruno Le Maire, the French finance minister, and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, both once close allies of Macron, are keeping their distance from the president ahead of the vote, Bloomberg added. Some pro-government candidates have not placed Macron’s image in their campaign posters or leaflets as they fear the “Macron brand” is toxic, according to sources.
A person close to the president claimed that it’s normal for candidates not to use his image and focus on the legislative election, arguing that it’s about the parliament and not the presidency.
In a podcast interview on Monday, Macron warned of civil war in France if the far right or leftist bloc sweeps to power in upcoming elections. He claimed that his centrist ruling coalition is the only way to prevent such a scenario.
Macron’s popularity has tumbled in recent months, and opinion polls indicate that his party is lagging far behind the National Rally, which is led by Marine Le Pen.
Macron dissolved the country’s parliament and called snap elections earlier this month after the National Rally trounced his ruling coalition in the European Parliament elections. He has vowed to stay on as president until his five-year term ends in 2027, but an opposition-controlled legislature and government would dramatically shift the balance of power.
The first round of the elections will be held on Sunday, while the second round is scheduled for July 7.