The mainstream has turned against Emmanuel Macron. As the French president’s approval ratings dip and his mandate runs out, he has become no longer useful—and even harmful—for the liberal-progressive globalist elite, with his critics now being amplified. This is clear from a recent article published by POLITICO Brussels, in which Macron’s former ally and mentor, Alain Minc, spoke about how the president is leaving France in a state of unprecedented political instability, describing him as the ‘worst president’ since the founding of the Fifth Republic.
Minc, a veteran political adviser and influential figure in French public life, said Macron’s ‘narcissism’ had led him to make reckless political decisions that ‘imperilled French institutions’ and strengthened the right ahead of the 2027 presidential election. ‘Macron is leaving the country in a much worse state than when he took the reins of power,’ Minc asserted. ‘He will leave a political landscape that is perhaps permanently unstable in France. It’s unforgivable.’
Once one of Macron’s earliest and most enthusiastic backers, Minc—who advised several French presidents, including François Mitterrand—played a key role in guiding the then-rising politician before his 2017 electoral victory. While he praised Macron’s first term as relatively successful, Minc now argues that the president’s second term has been defined by denial and poor judgment.
‘Macron is leaving the country in a much worse state than when he took the reins of power’
The relationship between the two men reportedly soured after Macron called a snap election last year—a move that ended in a hung parliament and deepened political fragmentation. ‘He is surrounded by an incredibly mediocre team,’ Minc said, accusing Macron of believing he alone can solve France’s problems. ‘Macron is in denial of reality…He is crushed by his own psychology.’
Macron’s leadership style, according to Minc, resembles that of a compulsive gambler, ‘convinced he’s just one win away’ from turning his luck around. The adviser suggested that the president should withdraw from domestic politics and focus solely on foreign affairs—a shift that, to some extent, has already occurred since Macron lost his parliamentary majority in 2024.
However, Macron’s recent decision to reappoint Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, just days after accepting his resignation, underscored his unwillingness to relinquish control over domestic matters.
Public sentiment appears to mirror Minc’s disillusionment. A recent poll found Macron’s approval ratings have plummeted to record lows, tying him with his predecessor, François Hollande, as the least popular French president of the past half-century. Meanwhile, the right-wing anti-immigration National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, has seen unprecedented support, with Bardella polling around 35–37 per cent in projections for the 2027 presidential race.
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