Support for French President Emmanuel Macron fell six points to an all-time low on Friday, less than a week before the start of a two-round parliamentary election. According to an Ifop-Fiducial poll for Sud Radio, the far-right National Unity party led by Marine Le Pen rose to 38%, two points higher than on June 10. The left-wing New Popular Front won 29% of support, while the Renaissance group led by Macron remained in third place with 22%.
Macron earlier dissolved the National Assembly and called early parliamentary elections after his group's defeat in the European Parliament elections. The first round of parliamentary elections is scheduled for June 30, and the second for July 7. Renowned politics lecturer from Cardiff University, Martha Lorimer, noted: “We can expect a Parliament with a hanging result - three blocs, none of which wants to cooperate. This is a completely new situation for French politics, and we don't know what will happen."
It was also noted that in June the activity of the private sector in France unexpectedly slowed down. The S&P Global Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 48.2 from 48.9, indicating a decline. The publication notes that the business community is concerned about the possibility of radical changes in the government that may occur as a result of the elections.
