Michel Barnier has become France’s favourite political figure, according to a surprise new poll, in a boost to the EU’s former chief Brexit negotiator two weeks after president Emmanuel Macron appointed him prime minister.
The poll comes as the 73-year-old conservative is struggling to cobble together a new government in the wake of snap elections in July, which left France with a hung parliament. It has been in legislative limbo ever since.
With a 57 per cent approval rating, Mr Barnier shot to the top of the popularity rankings ahead of three of his predecessors: Edouard Philippe (55 per cent), Gabriel Attal (54 per cent) and Jean Castex (54 per cent), according to an Ifop-Fiducial poll for Paris Match and Sud Radio.
By contrast, Mr Macron is languishing in 44th place on 31 per cent.
Mr Macron’s surprise appointment of Mr Barnier – a relative unknown domestically despite his role in negotiating with Britain on its withdrawal from the EU – ended nearly two months of deadlock but infuriated the New Popular Front coalition of Left-wing parties, which won the election but fell short of a majority.