News / Reports

Hollande loses half his post-Charlie Hebdo popularity bump

Monday, 16 February 2015 6:43 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 16 February 2015 6:43 PM ]

Hollande loses half his post-Charlie Hebdo popularity bumpv

Ramin Mazaheri
Press TV, Paris

For over 20 months President Francois Hollande was the most unpopular president in modern French history. But the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January saw his approval rating leap from 19% to 40%, in another equally-unprecedented development.

Just one month later, Hollande’s approval ratings are returning to normal, as a new poll revealed that only 30% of France views the president’s work positively.

France’s worries continue to be economic: Hollande has presided over the worst 3-year economic growth performance in the nation’s history since World War II. Purchasing power, unemployment, low investment, economic growth and a host of other indicators continue to trend in the wrong directions.

President Hollande failed to capitalize on his popularity boost by finally unveiling the anti-austerity reforms he promised in 2012. It’s actually been quite the opposite, as sensitive right-wing economic changes have been rammed through Parliament recently in the name of so-called national unity.

Many hoped Hollande would be inspired by the example of the new leftist government in Greece, but he has failed to treat them as an ally. Many wonder if Hollande will ever change course, but one thing is certain: if he persists in pushing ineffective austerity measures, his popularity will remain too low to win re-election in 2017, and he may not even be able to secure the Socialist Party’s nomination.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk